Anthrax among heroin users in Europe possibly caused by same Bacillus anthracis strain since 2000

Injection anthrax was described first in 2000 in a heroin-injecting drug user in Norway. New anthrax cases among heroin consumers were detected in the United Kingdom (52 cases) and Germany (3 cases) in 2009-10. In June 2012, a fatal case occurred in Regensburg, Bavaria. As of December 2012, 13 cases had been reported in this new outbreak from Germany, Denmark, France and the United Kingdom. We analysed isolates from 2009-10 and 2012 as well as from the first injection anthrax case in Norway in 2000 by comparative molecular typing using a high resolution 31 marker multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and a broad single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. Our results show that all cases may be traced back to the same outbreak strain. They also indicate the probability of a single source contaminating heroin and that the outbreak could have lasted for at least a decade. However, an additional serological pilot study in two German regions conducted in 2011 failed to discover additional anthrax cases among 288 heroin users.

miR-200b inhibits TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes growth of intestinal epithelial cells

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which consists of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic, inflammatory disorder of the gastro-intestinal tract with unknown etiology. Current evidence suggests that intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) is prominently linked to the pathogenesis of IBD. Therefore, maintaining the intact of epithelium has potential roles in improving pathophysiology and clinical outcomes of IBD. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as post-transcriptional gene regulators and regulate many biological processes, including embryonal development, cell differentiation, apoptosis and proliferation. In this study, we found that miR-200b decreased significantly in inflamed mucosa of IBD, especially for UC, when compared with their adjacent normal tissue. Simultaneously, we also found that the genes of E-cadherin and cyclin D1 were reduced significantly and correlated positively to the miR-200b. In addition, the upregulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) was inversely correlated to the miR-200b in IBD. To investigate the possible roles of miR-200b in IECs maintaining, we used TGF-β1 to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in IEC-6 initially. After sustained over-expressing miR-200b in IEC-6, the EMT was inhibited significantly that was characterized by downregulation of vimentin and upregulation of E-cadherin. Furthermore, we found that miR-200b enhanced E-cadherin expression through targeting of ZEB1, which encode transcriptional repressors of E-cadherin. SMAD2 was found to act as a target of miR-200b with direct evidence that miR-200b binding to the 3′ UTR of SAMD2 and the ability of miR-200b to repress SMAD2 protein expression. With SMAD2 depletion, the expression of vimentin decreased correspondingly, which suggested miR-200b might reduce vimentin through regulating the SMAD2. With endogenous over-expression of miR-200b, the proliferation of IEC-6 cells increased significantly by increasing S-phase entry and promoting expression of the protein cyclin D1. Summarily, our study suggested a potential role for mir-200b in maintaining intact of intestinal epithelium through inhibiting EMT and promoting proliferation of IECs.

Expression of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) and C-myb in gallbladder adenocarcinoma and their pathological significance

PURPOSE

An increasing number of studies have shown that PUMA and C-myb signaling pathways are involved in various human cancers including colon carcinomas. However, few studies have examined gallbladder cancer specimens, and little is known about the clinical and pathological significance signaling changes may have in gallbladder adenocarcinoma. This study has investigated the expression of PUMA and C-myb in benign and malignant lesions of gallbladder and its pathological significance.

METHODS

Tissue specimens from 108 gallbladder adenocarcinoma patients, 46 adjacent tissues, 15 cases of adenomatous polyps, and 35 surgical specimens from chronic cholecystitis patients were routinely paraffin embedded and sectioned. PUMA and C-myb expressions were detected with EnVision immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Positive rates of PUMA and C-myb are significantly higher in gallbladder adenocarcinoma tissues than that in the other three (P < 0.01). Gallbladder epithelial cells in PUMA and/or C-myb positive benign cases manifest moderate to severe atypical dysplasia. Positive rates of PUMA and C-myb in well-differentiated tumors with maximum diameter of <2 cm and with no lymph node metastasis and invasion of the surrounding tissues are significantly lower than that in those poorly differentiated cases with maximum diameter of ≥ 2 cm, lymph node metastasis, and invasion of the surrounding tissues (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The postoperative survival of patients whose tumor specimens are positive for PUMA and C-myb is significantly shorter than that of those who are negative for both markers (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results have demonstrated that PUMA and C-myb positive gallbladder tumors progress rapidly, are prone to metastasis, possess strong invasive ability, and have poor prognosis.

Preliminary Exploration on Anti-Fibrosis Effect of Kaempferol in Mice with Schistosoma Japonicum Infection

This study is to explore the effectiveness and mechanism of kaempferol on treatment of hepatic fibrosis induced by schistosoma egg. Thirty-six healthy male balb/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, including negative group, positive group, and 4 different dosages of kaempferol treatment groups. Each mouse was infected with 20 schistosoma Cercariae japonicum, except the ones in the negative group. Four weeks later, every infected mouse was administrated with 500mg/kg/day praziquantel for 2 days, and all kaempferol groups were followed by a 4-week administration of kaempferol with 5, 10, 15 and 20mg/kg/day respectively, while both control groups were administrated with normal saline. AH the mice were sacrificed on the 59th day after infection. The liver tissues were taken for Masson staining to detect collagen and real-time quantitative PCR to detect the mRNA expression of IL-13, collagen 1 and MMP-2. As a result, Masson stain showed that the optical density of the interested region in the positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group (P<0.01), and the optical density in all kaempferol groups was significantly lower than that in the positive group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Real-time PCR showed that the mRNA expression of IL-13 in the positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group (P<0.01), and the expression of IL-13 in the 20mg/kg and 15mg/kg kaempferol groups was significantly lower than that in the positive group, respectively (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of collagen 1 in the positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group (P<0.01), and mRNA expression of collagen 1 in the 20mg/kg kaempferol group was significantly lower than that in the positive group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the positive and negative groups on mRNA expression of MMP-2. The mRNA expression of MMP-2 in all kaempferol groups was significantly higher than that in the positive group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In conclusion, kaempferol can ameliorate schistosoma egg-induced hepatic fibrosis via regulating the IL-13 signal pathway. Kaempferol is very likely to be an IL-13 targeted anti-fibrosis medicine.

Activity of Corilagin on Post-Parasiticide Liver Fibrosis in Schistosomiasis Animal Model

This study investigates the effects and possible molecular mechanisms of corilagin extraction on prevention of Schistosoma japonicum ova-induced granulomas and liver fibrosis. As a result, under a light microscope, when compared to a model group, the corilagin group showed smaller granulomas, less liver cell denaturation and less inflammatory cell infiltration, and the connective tissues were significantly decreased. By Masson staining, the liver sections from the corilagin group showed less collagen distributed around granulomas, decreased liver fibrosis in the portal tracts and less formed interlobular tissue. The expression of hydroxyproline, IL-13 in liver and GATA3 in spleen in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P<0.05 or 0.01), while the level of hydroxyproline, IL-13 and GATA3 in the corilagin group were significantly lower than that in the model group (P<0.05). In conclusion, corilagin extraction can decrease the level of Th2-associated profibrotic cytokine IL-13, and down-regulate the transcription of GATA3 mRNA in spleen cells, which alleviate the hepatic fibrosis caused by egg granuloma in Schistosoma japonicum infection.

Twenty years of experience with laparoscopic antireflux surgery

BACKGROUND

There are few reports of large patient cohorts with long-term follow-up after laparoscopic antireflux surgery. This study was undertaken to evaluate changes in surgical practice and outcomes for laparoscopic antireflux surgery over a 20-year period.

METHODS

A standardized questionnaire, prospectively applied annually, was used to determine outcome for all patients undergoing laparoscopic fundoplication in two centres since commencing this procedure in 1991. Visual analogue scales ranging from 0 to 10 were used to assess symptoms of heartburn, dysphagia and satisfaction with overall outcome. Data were analysed to determine outcome across 20 years.

RESULTS

From 1991 to 2010, 2261 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic fundoplication at the authors' institutions. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 19 (mean 7.6) years. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 73 operations (3.2 per cent). Revisional surgery was performed in 216 patients (9.6 per cent), within 12 months of the original operation in 116. There was a shift from Nissen to partial fundoplication across 20 years, and a recent decline in operations for reflux, offset by an increase in surgery for large hiatus hernia. Dysphagia and satisfaction scores were stable, and heartburn scores rose slightly across 15 years of follow-up. Heartburn scores were slightly higher and reoperation for reflux was more common after anterior partial fundoplication (P = 0.005), whereas dysphagia scores were lower and reoperation for dysphagia was less common (P < 0.001). At 10 years, satisfaction with outcome was similar for all fundoplication types.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic Nissen and partial fundoplications proved to be durable and achieved good long-term outcomes. At earlier follow-up, dysphagia was less common but reflux more common after anterior partial fundoplication, although differences had largely disappeared by 10 years.

Managing chronic inflammation in the aging diabetic patient with CKD by diet or sevelamer carbonate: a modern paradigm shift

The maintenance of normal metabolism and body defenses depends on the balance between cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory factors. This balance can be disrupted by agents/mechanisms in the extracellular milieu that induce excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation. Cytopathic advanced glycation endproducts, present in ever increasing amounts in the modern diet, are one of the major environmental factors that cause excess ROS and/or inflammation at all ages and induce complications in aging, such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes. Increased ROS and/or inflammation are present in both aging and CKD, and are associated with reduced cellular defenses against ROS and/or inflammation. Affected individuals have reduced defenses against further stress and are predisposed to organ failure, now a well-known phenomenon in aging. Thus, new methods are urgently needed to safely reduce ROS and/or inflammation in the aging type 2 diabetes patient with CKD. Studies of both normal aging and diabetic patients with kidney disease underline the fact that increased ROS and/or inflammation can be managed in these conditions by economical, safe, and effective interventions that reduce the uptake of advanced glycation endproducts by either modifying preparation of food or an oral drug. This communication reviews these data and adds new information on the efficacy of a drug, sevelamer carbonate, required to reduce ROS and/or inflammation in the aging type 2 diabetes patient complicated by CKD. If larger and longer studies confirm the hypothesis that one or both of these interventions reduce progression of CKD, it could represent a new paradigm in the management of complications in the type 2 diabetes patient with CKD.

Visible-light responsive photocatalytic fuel cell based on WO(3)/W photoanode and Cu(2)O/Cu photocathode for simultaneous wastewater treatment and electricity generation

A visible-light driven photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) system comprised of WO(3)/W photoanode and Cu(2)O/Cu photocathode was established for organic compounds degradation with simultaneous electricity generation. The central idea for its operation is the mismatched Fermi levels between the two photoelectrodes. Under light illumination, the Fermi level of WO(3)/W photoanode is higher than that of Cu(2)O/Cu photocathode. An interior bias can be produced based on which the electrons of WO(3)/W photoanode can transfer from the external circuit to combine with the holes of Cu(2)O/Cu photocathode then generates the electricity. In this manner, the electron/hole pairs separations at two photoelectrodes are facilitated to release the holes of WO(3)/W photoanode and electrons of Cu(2)O/Cu photocathode. Organic compounds can be decomposed by the holes of WO(3)/W photoanode due to its high oxidation power (+3.1-3.2 V(NHE)). The results demonstrated that various model compounds including phenol, Rhodamine B, and Congo red can be successfully decomposed in this PFC system, with the degradation rate after 5 h operation were obtained to be 58%, 63%, and 74%, respectively. The consistent operation for continuous water treatment with the electricity generation at a long time scale was also confirmed from the result. The proposed PFC system provides a self-sustained and energy-saving way for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy recovery.

The hazardous hexavalent chromium formed on trivalent chromium conversion coating: The origin, influence factors and control measures

In this paper, the effects of processing parameters and constituents of treating-agent on the presence of hazardous hexavalent chromium on trivalent chromium conversion coating were studied. Results showed that shorter immersion time, lower bath pH value as well as lower working and baking temperatures retarded the presence of hexavalent chromium. In addition, the concentration of hexavalent chromium on conversion coatings prepared by the oxalic acid treating-agent was far greater than those on conversion coatings prepared by formic acid and acetic acid treating-agents. Results also indicated that the concentration of hexavalent chromium on conversion coatings was enhanced due to the addition of bivalent cobalt and nitrate anion in treating-agent, especially for oxalic acid conversion coating. However, the addition of hydroxyl compound d-gluconic acid in treating-agent could reduce the concentration of hexavalent chromium effectively. Moreover, a possible formation mechanism of hexavalent chromium on trivalent conversion coating was proposed. Findings of this study provide a better understanding of the formation of hexavalent chromium on trivalent chromium conversion coating and can facilitate the management of trivalent chromium treating-agents and trivalent chromium fasteners.

WE-C-217BCD-06: In Vivo Targeting and Imaging of Tumor Vasculature with Radiolabeled, Antibody-Conjugated Nano-Graphene

PURPOSE

Our goal was to explore nano-graphene for in vivo tumor targeting and quantitatively evaluate the pharmacokinetics and tumor targeting efficacy through PET imaging, using ^{6 4} Cu and ⁶⁶ Ga as the radiolabel.

METHODS

Nano-graphene oxide (GO) sheets, with amino group- terminated PEG chains (10 kDa) covalently attached, were conjugated to NOTA (l,4,7-triazacyclononane-l,4,7-triacetic acid, a suitable chelator for ^{6 4} Cu and ^{6 6} Ga) and TRC105 (a mAb that binds to CD 105, overexpressed on neovasculature). FACS analyses, size measurements, and serum stability studies were performed to characterize the GO conjugates before in vivo investigation (PET, bio distribution, blocking studies, etc.) in 4T1 murine breast tumor-bearing mice. Findings from imaging studies were then validated by histology.

RESULTS

TRC105-conjugated GO, 20-30 nm in diameter, was specific for CD105 with little non-specific binding. Both ⁶⁴ Cu- and ⁶⁶ Ga- labled GO conjugates had excellent stability in mouse serum. Clearance of the GO conjugates in mice was via the hepatobiliary pathway. ^v Cu/^{6 6} Ga-NOTA-GO-TRC105 accumulated rapidly in the 4T1 tumor and tumor uptake remained stable over time (3.8±0.4, 4.5±0.4, 5.8±0.3, and 4.5±0.4 %ID/g at 0.5, 3, 7, and 24 h p.i. for⁶⁶ Ga; 5.8±0.6, 5.3±0.6, 4.0±0.4, and3.4±0.1 %ID/g at 0.5, 3,24, and 48 h p.i. for ^{6 4} Cu; n = 4). Blocking studies confirmed CD105 specificity of ^{6 4} Cu/^{6 6} Ga-NOTA- GOTRC105, which was corroborated by bio distribution studies. Furthermore, microscopy examination of GO in light view mode and immunofluorescence staining revealed that targeting of NOTA-GO-TRC105 is tumor vasculature CD105 specific with little extravasation.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, we demonstrated that GO can be specifically directed to the tumor neovasculature in vivo through targeting of CD105, a marker of tumor angiogenesis. The versatile chemistry of graphene-based nanomaterials makes them suitable nanoplatforms for future biomedical research, such as cancer theranostics.

WE-C-217BCD-04: Multimodality Imaging of Breast Cancer Experimental Lung Metastasis

PURPOSE

Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is incurable. The clinical gold standard for assessing tumor microvessel density (MVD), an independent prognostic marker in MBC, is CD 105 staining. The goal of this study is to develop a positron emission tomography (PET)/near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) probe for imaging of CD105 expression in MBC (i.e. non-invasive measurement of MVD), as well as other applications such as early detection of metastasis, intraoperative guidance, etc.

METHODS

TRC105, a chimeric anti-CD105 mAb, was dual-labeled with a NIRF dye and ⁸⁹ Zr to yield ^{8 9} Zr-Df-TRC105-800CW. Luciferase-transfected 4T1 murine breast cancer cells were injected intravenously into female BALB/c mice to establish a lung MBC model. Bio luminescence imaging (BLI) was carried out to non- invasively monitor the lung tumor burden. Comprehensive in vivo/ex vivo studies were performed to investigate ^{8 9} Zr-Df-TRC105-800CW in this MBC model. Cetuximab was used as an isotype-matched control.

RESULTS

Radiolabeled TRC105 has high tumor uptake in many tumor types in addition to MBC (e.g. pancreatic/prostate cancer and brain tumor), revealing broad clinical potential for TRC105-based agents. FACS analysis of HUVECs showed no difference in CD 105 binding between TRC105 and Df- TRC105-800CW. PET imaging revealed that 4T1 lung tumor uptake of ⁸⁹ Zr-Df-TRC105-800CW was 8.7±1.4,10.9±0.5, and 9.7±1.1 %ID/g at 4, 24, and 48 h post-injection (n = 4), with excellent tumor contrast. Bio distribution studies, blocking, control studies with ^{8 9} Zr-Df-cetuximab- 800CW, ex vivo BLI/PET/NIRF imaging, and histology all confirmed CD 105 specificity of the tracer. NIRF imaging-guided removal of 4T1 tumors with Df-TRC105-800CW in a subcutaneous model was also straightforward.

CONCLUSIONS

We report the first PET/NIRF imaging of CD105 expression in a MBC model. Broad clinical potential of TRC105- based agents was shown in many tumor types, which also enabled early detection of small metastases and provided intraoperative guidance for tumor removal.

High incidence of severe neutropenia after gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in Chinese cancer patients with CDA 79A>C mutation

Cytidine deaminase (CDA) is a crucial enzyme in gemcitabine inactivation. Mutations in CDA gene have been found to influence the activity of CDA enzyme, which might lead to altered pharmacokinetics profile and clinical outcome of gemcitabine. In this study, the screening for the presence of CDA 79A>C and CDA 208G>A was performed by allele-specific PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism, respectively. No difference in CDA allele frequencies was found between Chinese cancer patients and healthy volunteers. The frequencies for CDA 79A>C and 208G>A in the studied population were 12.2% and 1.0%, respectively. While a high incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia was noted as 5 out of 8 (62.5%) patients heterozygous or homozygous for CDA 79A>C mutation developed it, in patients homozygous for the wild-type allele, the incidence was only 17.2% (5 out of 29) (p=0.021). Our study suggests that CDA 79A>C mutation might be a potential risk factor of gemcitabine-induced neutropenia toxicity.

Microbial degradation of polyacrylamide by aerobic granules

To deal with polyacrylamide (PAM) wastewater, granular sludge formed in glucose-fed sequencing batch reactors (SBR) was employed to cultivate PAM-degrading granules. Three replicated SBRs were operated with increasing PAM concentration in the influent from 67 to 670 mg L(-1), and the hydraulic retention time was increased at the same time from 1 d to 6 d during the six-phase of the 43 d acclimation period. The well-acclimated PAM-degrading granules were different from the seeding granules in colour, mean diameter, biomass density and settle ability, and could use PAM as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. In the batch experiments, PAM degradation rate by granules was determined as 2.23 mg PAM g(-1) MLSS h(-1). According to the analysis of the intermediates of PAM biodegradation, PAM was degraded initially through hydrolysis of the amide group, and no acrylamide monomer was detected. With the help of LC/MS, the main intermediate was identified as polyacrylic acid with a low molecular weight. Therefore, the PAM-degrading granular sludge may be employed for removing PAM in the wastewater produced from tertiary oil recovery that uses polymeric flooding technology.

Routine short-term ureteral stent in living donor renal transplantation: introduction of a simple stent removal technique without using anesthesia and cystoscope

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated routine short-time insertion of ureteral stent in living donor renal transplant at a single center. It was easy to remove the stent without cystoscopy and anesthesia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between October 2007 and July 2010, a single surgeon performed 76 living donor renal transplantations at one institute. All recipients underwent extravesical ureteroneocystostomy with a 2-0 silk suture passed through the venting side hole of the double-J stent into the bladder; a quadruple knot prevented the suture's slippage or distraction from the stent. After removal of the indwelling catheter at 5 days posttransplantation, the 2-0 silk passed with the urinary stream within 72 hours. The double-J stent was removed at 7 to 10 (mean 8.4) days after kidney transplantation by pulling the 2-0 silk out of the urethral orifice without anesthesia or cystoscopy.

RESULTS

There was only one case of stenosis, which was resolved by surgery. No patient developed urinary leakage. There were three episodes of urinary tract infection in 70 patients during first 6 months' follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Routine short-term stenting is a safe and effective technique in living donor renal transplantation. Removal of the stent is feasible without cystoscopy or anesthesia.

Aptamers as therapeutics in cardiovascular diseases

With many advantages over other therapeutic agents such as monoclonal antibodies, aptamers have recently emerged as a novel and powerful class of ligands with excellent potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Typically generated through Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX), aptamers have been selected against a wide range of targets such as proteins, phospholipids, sugars, nucleic acids, as well as whole cells. DNA/RNA aptamers are single-stranded DNA/RNA oligonucleotides (with a molecular weight of 5-40 kDa) that can fold into well-defined 3D structures and bind to their target molecules with high affinity and specificity. A number of strategies have been adopted to synthesize aptamers with enhanced in vitro/in vivo stability, aiming at potential therapeutic/diagnostic applications in the clinic. In cardiovascular diseases, aptamers can be developed into therapeutic agents as anti-thrombotics, anti-coagulants, among others. This review focuses on aptamers that were selected against various molecular targets involved in cardiovascular diseases: von Willebrand factor (vWF), thrombin, factor IX, phospholamban, P-selectin, platelet-derived growth factor, integrin α(v)β(3), CXCL10, vasopressin, among others. With continued effort in the development of aptamer-based therapeutics, aptamers will find their niches in cardiovascular diseases and significantly impact clinical patient management.

Aptamer-based fluorescent biosensors

Selected from random pools of DNA or RNA molecules through systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), aptamers can bind to target molecules with high affinity and specificity, which makes them ideal recognition elements in the development of biosensors. To date, aptamer-based biosensors have used a wide variety of detection techniques, which are briefly summarized in this article. The focus of this review is on the development of aptamer-based fluorescent biosensors, with emphasis on their design as well as properties such as sensitivity and specificity. These biosensors can be broadly divided into two categories: those using fluorescently-labeled aptamers and others that employ label-free aptamers. Within each category, they can be further divided into "signal-on" and "signal-off" sensors. A number of these aptamer-based fluorescent biosensors have shown promising results in biological samples such as urine and serum, suggesting their potential applications in biomedical research and disease diagnostics.

Tumor-targeted drug delivery with aptamers

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death around the world. Tumor-targeted drug delivery is one of the major areas in cancer research. Aptamers exhibit many desirable properties for tumor-targeted drug delivery, such as ease of selection and synthesis, high binding affinity and specificity, low immunogenicity, and versatile synthetic accessibility. Over the last several years, aptamers have quickly become a new class of targeting ligands for drug delivery applications. In this review, we will discuss in detail about aptamer-based delivery of chemotherapy drugs (e.g. doxorubicin, docetaxel, daunorubicin, and cisplatin), toxins (e.g. gelonin and various photodynamic therapy agents), and a variety of small interfering RNAs. Although the results are promising which warrants enthusiasm for aptamer-based drug delivery, tumor homing of aptamer-based conjugates after systemic injection has only been achieved in one report. Much remains to be done before aptamer-based drug delivery can reach clinical trials and eventually the day-to-day management of cancer patients. Therefore, future directions and challenges in aptamer-based drug delivery are also discussed.

Molecular imaging with nucleic acid aptamers

With many desirable properties such as ease of synthesis, small size, lack of immunogenicity, and versatile chemistry, aptamers represent a class of targeting ligands that possess tremendous potential in molecular imaging applications. Non-invasive imaging of various disease markers with aptamer-based probes has many potential clinical applications such as lesion detection, patient stratification, treatment monitoring, etc. In this review, we will summarize the current status of molecular imaging with aptamer-based probes. First, fluorescence imaging will be described which include both direct targeting and activatable probes. Next, we discuss molecular magnetic resonance imaging and targeted ultrasound investigations using aptamer-based agents. Radionuclide-based imaging techniques (single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography) will be summarized as well. In addition, aptamers have also been labeled with various tags for computed tomography, surface plasmon resonance, dark-field light scattering microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy imaging. Among all molecular imaging modalities, no single modality is perfect and sufficient to obtain all the necessary information for a particular question. Thus, a multimodality probe has also been constructed for concurrent fluorescence, gamma camera, and magnetic resonance imaging in vivo. Although the future of aptamer-based molecular imaging is becoming increasingly bright and many proof-of-principle studies have already been reported, much future effort needs to be directed towards the development of clinically translatable aptamer-based imaging agents which will eventually benefit patients.

Reduction of graphene oxide by an in-situ photoelectrochemical method in a dye-sensitized solar cell assembly

Reduction of graphene oxide [GO] has been achieved by an in-situ photoelectrochemical method in a dye-sensitized solar cell [DSSC] assembly, in which the semiconductor behavior of the reduced graphene oxide [RGO] is controllable. GO and RGO were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. It was found that the GO film, which assembled in the DSSC assembly as the counter electrode, was partly reduced. An optimized photoelectrochemical assembly is promising for modulating the reduction degree of RGO and controlling the band structure of the resulting RGO. Moreover, this method appeared to be a green progress for the production of RGO electrodes.

Randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic anterior 180° partial versus 360° Nissen fundoplication: 5-year results

Anterior partial fundoplication (AF) has been popularized by a lower risk of mechanical side effects. The question then emerges whether anterior partial wrap has a similar antireflux effect with Nissen fundoplication (NF). We therefore conducted a randomized study to compare the long-term outcome of anterior fundoplication with NF. One hundred patients who enrolled in the trial from May 2003 to March 2005 were randomized to laparoscopic AF or laparoscopic NF. Endoscopy, pH monitoring, manometry, a detailed questionnaire, and a visual analog symptom score were completed preoperative at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months after surgical procedures. The postoperative adverse effects such as dysphagia and flatulence were compared between the two groups. Revision surgery or maintenance proton pump inhibitor therapy was defined as failure. Fifty procedures were performed in each group. The outcome at 5 years follow-up was determined for 96 patients (96%; 49 patients in the AF group and 47 in the NF group). Three patients (3%) died of unrelated causes during follow-up, and one patient changed address. Both fundoplications were found to provide good control of reflux-related symptoms in most of the patients. For 96 patients followed up more than 5 years, gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were well controlled in 81 patients (84.38%); the mean DeMeester scores in the AF group decreased from 106.89 ± 14.12 to 12.67 ± 3.14 and in the NF group from 109.51 ± 17.98 to 10.81 ± 2.65, and the esophagitis was ameliorated visibly. Moreover, there were significantly fewer patients in the AF group who complained of flatulence. Compared with NF, anterior 180° partial fundoplication is an effective treatment of gastroesophageal reflux and associates with fewer postoperative adverse effects.

Time reversal optical tomography: locating targets in a highly scattering turbid medium

A time reversal optical tomography (TROT) method for near-infrared (NIR) diffuse optical imaging of targets embedded in a highly scattering turbid medium is presented. TROT combines the basic symmetry of time reversal invariance and subspace-based signal processing for retrieval of target location. The efficacy of TROT is tested using simulated data and data obtained from NIR imaging experiments on absorptive and scattering targets embedded in Intralipid-20% suspension in water, as turbid medium. The results demonstrate the potential of TROT for detecting and locating small targets in a turbid medium, such as, breast tumors in early stages of growth.

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of S-propargyl-L-cysteine, a novel cardioprotective agent, after single and multiple doses in Beagle dogs

As a novel hydrogen sulfide-modulated agent, S-propargyl-L-cysteine (SPRC) is proven to be a potent cardioprotective candidate. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of SPRC (20 mg/kg) in beagle dogs after oral and intravenous administrations were investigated in this study. Plasma concentrations of SPRC were measured by a LC-MS/MS method. Intravenous administration of SPRC (single dose) to beagle dogs gave a mean plasma half-life of 14.7 h, mean clearance of 0.4 ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹ and mean apparent volume of distribution of 0.56 L/kg. Single oral administration was completely, fast absorbed (T(max)= 0.33 ± 0.20 h) with a mean absolute availability of 112% and mean plasma half-life of 16.5 h. Multiple oral administration (once daily for 10 consecutive days) of SPRC to dogs resulted in steady state plasma drug concentration being reached after seven doses and didn't cause obvious accumulation. No significant difference was found between the single and multiple pharmacokinetic parameters.

Bayesian analysis of the effect of selection for residual feed intake on growth and feed intake curves in Yorkshire swine

Gompertz growth functions were fitted to longitudinal measurements of daily feed intake (DFI) and BW of 586 boars and 495 gilts from a selection experiment in Yorkshire pigs for residual feed intake (RFI). The selection experiment consists of a line selected for low residual feed intake (LRFI) for 5 generations and a randomly selected control line (CTRL). The objectives of this study were to use Bayesian methods to estimate genetic parameters of the Gompertz curve parameters for DFI and BW, to evaluate the effect of selection for reduced RFI on the Gompertz parameters and shape of curves for DFI and BW, and to develop methodology for quantifying genetic variation at the level of the original phenotypes for DFI and BW based on the Bayesian analysis of the nonlinear model. Separate analyses were done for boars and gilts and for BW and DFI. A hierarchical model was specified in 2 levels: in the first level, the Gompertz function was modeled for each pig, and at the second level, a 3-trait linear mixed model was fitted to the 3 Gompertz parameters (asymptotic value, inflection point, and decay parameter), with fixed effects of line by generation and random effects of additive genetic and environmental effects. Bayesian methods were used to combine the 2 levels of modeling. A total of 30,000 random samples of the posterior distributions after convergence of Markov chains were used for inference. Posterior means of heritability within the first level of the model for the asymptotic value, inflection point, and decay parameter for DFI were 0.74, 0.66, and 0.82 for boars and 0.79, 0.70, and 0.57 for gilts; corresponding estimates for BW were 0.64, 0.58, and 0.60 for boars and 0.46, 0.35, and 0.33 for gilts. For DFI, LRFI boars had a reduced mature DFI (2.91 vs. 3.20 kg/d) and an earlier inflection point (85 vs. 95 d) compared with CTRL boars. For BW, LRFI boars had a lighter mature BW (279 vs. 317 kg), an earlier inflection point (184 vs. 198 d), and a decreased decay parameter (127 vs. 134 d) compared with CTRL boars. In contrast, LRFI gilts had a later inflection point (225 vs. 200 d) and a greater decay parameter (172 vs. 143 d) than CTRL gilts for BW. The other Gompertz curve parameters for DFI and BW for boars and gilts were considered not different between lines, with posterior probabilities of the line differences being greater than zero ranging from 0.1 to 0.9.

Genetic analysis of longitudinal measurements of performance traits in selection lines for residual feed intake in Yorkshire swine

A 5-generation selection experiment in Yorkshire pigs for feed efficiency consists of a line selected for low residual feed intake (LRFI) and a random control line (CTRL). The objectives of this study were to use random regression models to estimate genetic parameters for daily feed intake (DFI), BW, backfat (BF), and loin muscle area (LMA) along the growth trajectory and to evaluate the effect of LRFI selection on genetic curves for DFI and BW. An additional objective was to compare random regression models using polynomials (RRP) and spline functions (RRS). Data from approximately 3 to 8 mo of age on 586 boars and 495 gilts across 5 generations were used. The average number of measurements was 85, 14, 5, and 5 for DFI, BW, BF, and LMA. The RRP models for these 4 traits were fitted with pen × on-test group as a fixed effect, second-order Legendre polynomials of age as fixed curves for each generation, and random curves for additive genetic and permanent environmental effects. Different residual variances were used for the first and second halves of the test period. The RRS models were fitted with the same fixed effects and residual variance structure as the RRP models and included genetic and permanent environmental random effects for both splines and linear Legendre polynomials of age. The RRP model was used for further analysis because the RRS model had erratic estimates of phenotypic variance and heritability, despite having a smaller Bayesian information criterion than the RRP model. From 91 to 210 d of age, estimates of heritability from the RRP model ranged from 0.10 to 0.37 for boars and 0.14 to 0.26 for gilts for DFI, from 0.39 to 0.58 for boars and 0.55 to 0.61 for gilts for BW, from 0.48 to 0.61 for boars and 0.61 to 0.79 for gilts for BF, and from 0.46 to 0.55 for boars and 0.63 to 0.81 for gilts for LMA. In generation 5, LRFI pigs had lower average genetic curves than CTRL pigs for DFI and BW, especially toward the end of the test period; estimated line differences (CTRL-LRFI) for DFI were 0.04 kg/d for boars and 0.12 kg/d for gilts at 105 d and 0.20 kg/d for boars and 0.24 kg/d for gilts at 195 d. Line differences for BW were 0.17 kg for boars and 0.69 kg for gilts at 105 d and 3.49 kg for boars and 8.96 kg for gilts at 195 d. In conclusion, selection for LRFI has resulted in a lower feed intake curve and a lower BW curve toward maturity.

Efficient electricity production and simultaneously wastewater treatment via a high-performance photocatalytic fuel cell

A great quantity of wastewater were discharged into water body, causing serious environmental pollution. Meanwhile, the organic compounds in wastewater are important sources of energy. In this work, a high-performance short TiO(2) nanotube array (STNA) electrode was applied as photoanode material in a novel photocatalytic fuel cell (PFC) system for electricity production and simultaneously wastewater treatment. The results of current work demonstrate that various model compounds as well as real wastewater samples can be used as substrates for the PFC system. As a representative of model compounds, the acetic acid solution produces the highest cell performance with short-circuit current density 1.42 mA cm(-2), open-circuit voltage 1.48 V and maximum power density output 0.67 mW cm(-2). The STNA photoanode reveals obviously enhanced cell performance compared with TiO(2) nanoparticulate film electrode or other long nanotubes electrode. Moreover, the photoanode material, electrolyte concentration, pH of the initial solution, and cathode material were found to be important factors influencing the system performance of PFC. Therefore, the proposed fuel cell system provides a novel way of energy conversion and effective disposal mode of organics and serves well as a promising technology for wastewater treatment.

Baifuzi reduces transient ischemic brain damage through an interaction with the STREX domain of BKCa channels

Stroke is a long-term disability and one of the leading causes of death. However, no successful therapeutic intervention is available for the majority of stroke patients. In this study, we explored a traditional Chinese medicine Baifuzi (Typhonium giganteum Engl.). We show, at first, that the ethanol extract of Baifuzi exerts neuroprotective effects against brain damage induced by transient global or focal cerebral ischemia in rats and mice. Second, the extract activated large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (BK(Ca)) channels, and BK(Ca) channel blockade suppressed the neuroprotection of the extract, suggesting that the BK(Ca) is the molecular target of Baifuzi. Third, Baifuzi cerebroside (Baifuzi-CB), purified from its ethanol extract, activated BK(Ca) channels in a manner similar to that of the extract. Fourth, the stress axis hormone-regulated exon (STREX) domain of the BK(Ca) channel directly interacted with Baifuzi-CB, and its deletion suppressed channel activation by Baifuzi-CB. These results indicate that Baifuzi-CB activated the BK(Ca) channel through its direct interaction with the STREX domain of the channel and suggests that Baifuzi-CB merits exploration as a potential therapeutic agent for treating brain ischemia.

GaN-Based MSM uv Photodetectors

Results obtained from interdigital metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) type of GaN based UV photodetectors are presented. MSM devices were fabricated using two types of GaN; high-resistive GaN and Mg doped GaN. For the high-resistive GaN detector, the lowest dark current is ∼0.1 nA and the UV responsivity of the device was about 460 AAV at a DC bias of 30 V. The Mg doped GaN exhibited large gains, 1150 A/W at 2.0 V, but at much higher dark currents, 400 nA. The high gain in this device is not well understood but was attributed to an ‘avalanche’ effect and is under investigation. It was found that the surface plasma treatment plays an important role in the device performance. After an appropriate plasma treatment the detectors showed higher responsivity with lower dark current.

Optimization of phenol degradation by Candida tropicalis Z-04 using Plackett-Burman design and response surface methodology

Statistical experimental designs were used to optimize the process of phenol degradation by Candida tropicalis Z-04, isolated from phenol-degrading aerobic granules. The most important factors influencing phenol degradation (p < 0.05), as identified by a two-level Plackett-Burman design with 11 variables, were yeast extract, phenol, inoculum size, and temperature. Steepest ascent method was undertaken to determine the optimal regions of these four significant factors. Central composite design (CCD) and response surface analysis were adopted to further investigate the mutual interactions between these variables and to identify their optimal values that would generate maximum phenol degradation. The analysis results indicated that interactions between yeast extract and temperature, phenol and temperature, inoculum size and temperature affected the response variable (phenol degradation) significantly. The predicted results showed that the maximum removal efficiency of phenol (99.10%) could be obtained under the optimum conditions of yeast extract 0.41 g/L, phenol 1.03 g/L, inoculum size 1.43% (V/V) and temperature 30.04 degrees C. These predicted values were further verified by validation experiments. The excellent correlation between predicted and experimental values confirmed the validity and practicability of this statistical optimum strategy. This study indicated the excellent ability of C. tropicalis Z-04 in degrading high-strength phenol. Optimal conditions obtained in this experiment laid a solid foundation for further use of this microorganism in the treatment of high-strength phenol effluents.

Synthesis of visible-light responsive graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites with p/n heterojunction

Graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites were prepared by using TiCl(3) and graphene oxide as reactants. The concentration of graphene oxide in starting solution played an important role in photoelectronic and photocatalytic performance of graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites. Either a p-type or n-type semiconductor was formed by graphene oxide in graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites. These semiconductors could be excited by visible light with wavelengths longer than 510 nm and acted as sensitizer in graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites. Visible-light driven photocatalytic performance of graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites in degradation of methyl orange was also studied. Crystalline quality and chemical states of carbon elements from graphene oxide in graphene oxide/TiO(2) composites depended on the concentration of graphene oxide in the starting solution. This study shows a possible way to fabricate graphene oxide/semiconductor composites with different properties by using a tunable semiconductor conductivity type of graphene oxide.

Effect of selection for residual feed intake on feeding behavior and daily feed intake patterns in Yorkshire swine

Residual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of feed efficiency defined as the difference between observed and predicted feed intake based on average requirements for growth and maintenance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of selection for decreased RFI on feeding behavior traits and to estimate their relationships with RFI. Three data sets from the 4th and 5th generations of a selection experiment with a line selected for reduced RFI (LRFI) and a randomly selected control line (CTRL) were analyzed. Lines were mixed in pens of 16 and evaluated for feeding behavior traits obtained from a single-space electronic feeder over a growing period of ~3 mo before ~115 kg. The following traits were evaluated as averages over the entire test period and over the first and second half of the test period: number of visits per day and hour; occupation time per day, visit, and hour; feed intake (FI) per day, visit, and hour; and FI rate per visit. Models used included fixed effects of line and feeder, covariates of on-test age and FI per day, and random effects of pen, on-test group, sire, and litter. Repeated measures models were used to analyze feeding patterns during the day. The LRFI pigs had significantly less FI per day than CTRL pigs for all 3 data sets. With adjustment for FI per day, line differences of all traits were in the same direction for all 3 data sets but differed in significance and size. Feed intake per visit and hour and visits per day and hour did not differ between lines, but the trend was for LRFI pigs to have fewer visits, in particular during peak eating times. The LRFI pigs had a greater feeding rate and less occupation time per day, visit, and hour than CTRL pigs, but this was not significant for all data sets. Correlations of RFI with FI per day and visit and visits per day were positive. Average daily gain was positively correlated with FI per day and visit and occupation time per visit but negatively correlated with visits per day. Feed intake per day was positively correlated with backfat. In conclusion, feed efficiency may be affected by FI behavior because selection for decreased RFI has resulted in pigs that spend less time eating and eat faster.

Template-free sol-gel preparation and characterization of free-standing visible light responsive C,N-modified porous monolithic TiO2

Visible light responsive C,N-modified porous monolithic titania (MT(f)) has been successfully synthesized. The template-free sol-gel synthesis method accompanied by phase separation and in situ C,N-modification has been used. The molar ratio of water to tetrabutyl titanate (f) in starting solution plays an important role in the porous structure and photoactivity of MT(f). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and N(2) adsorption-desorption analysis show that MT(f) possess mesoporous structure as well as macroporous structure. MT(22) has been further characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The results show that both nitrogen and carbon elements exist in MT(22) and result in the visible light photocatalytic activity of MT(22). The observed reaction rate of decolorization of methyl orange is 0.0026 min(-1).

ABO antibody titer and risk of antibody-mediated rejection in ABO-incompatible renal transplantation

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) preconditioning with immunosuppressive therapy reduces ABO antibody titers, permitting engraftment of ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) kidney transplants. The posttransplant predictive role of ABO antibody titers for antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) is unknown. This retrospective study evaluated 46 individuals who received TPE to permit ABO-I kidney transplantation. ABO antibody titers were performed using donor-type indicator red cells. Seven individuals (15.2%) experienced clinical or subclinical AMR. There was no significant difference between recipient blood group, number of pretransplant TPE and baseline titer between those with and without AMR. At 1-2 weeks posttransplant the median titer was 64 (range 4 - 512) among individuals with AMR and 16 (range 2 - 256) among individuals without AMR. Total agglutination reactivity score was significantly higher among individuals with AMR (p = 0.046). The risk of AMR was significantly higher among individuals with an elevated posttransplant titer of >or=64 (p = 0.006). The sensitivity of an elevated posttransplant titer was 57.1% with a specificity of 79.5%. The positive predictive value was 33.3% and the negative predictive value was 91.2%. Most individuals with AMR have an elevated titer, however, the positive predictive value of a high titer for AMR is poor.

Gene expression in hypothalamus, liver, and adipose tissues and food intake response to melanocortin-4 receptor agonist in pigs expressing melanocortin-4 receptor mutations

Transcriptional profiling was used to identify genes and pathways that responded to intracerebroventricular injection of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist [Nle4, d-Phe7]-α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (NDP-MSH) in pigs homozygous for the missense mutation in the MC4R, D298 allele ( n = 12), N298 allele ( n = 12), or heterozygous ( n = 12). Food intake (FI) was measured at 12 and 24 h after treatment. All pigs were killed at 24 h after treatment, and hypothalamus, liver, and back-fat tissue was collected. NDP-MSH suppressed ( P < 0.004) FI at 12 and 24 h in all animals after treatment. In response to NDP-MSH, 278 genes in hypothalamus ( q ≤ 0.07, P ≤ 0.001), 249 genes in liver ( q ≤ 0.07, P ≤ 0.001), and 5,066 genes in fat ( q ≤ 0.07, P ≤ 0.015) were differentially expressed. Pathway analysis of NDP-MSH-induced differentially expressed genes indicated that genes involved in cell communication, nucleotide metabolism, and signal transduction were prominently downregulated in the hypothalamus. In both liver and adipose tissue, energy-intensive biosynthetic and catabolic processes were downregulated in response to NDP-MSH. This included genes encoding for biosynthetic pathways such as steroid and lipid biosynthesis, fatty acid synthesis, and amino acid synthesis. Genes involved in direct energy-generating processes, such as oxidative phosphorylation, electron transport, and ATP synthesis, were upregulated, whereas TCA-associated genes were prominently downregulated in NDP-MSH-treated pigs. Our data also indicate a metabolic switch toward energy conservation since genes involved in energy-intensive biosynthetic and catabolic processes were downregulated in NDP-MSH-treated pigs.

Significant histopathology in Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients with persistently high-normal alanine aminotransferase

Current guidelines recommend antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and high viral load. Scant histological data exist for CHB patients with persistently normal ALT (PNALT) because disease progression is thought to be rare. To identify potential predictors of significant histology in the presence of PNALT, we compared the clinical characteristics and histology of Chinese CHB PNALT patients to those in patients with elevated ALT. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed in 522 CHB patients with Chinese ethnicity who had not had antiviral treatment. Differences in age, ALT, viral load, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status and liver histology were compared between eligible PNALT (252) and elevated ALT (270) patients. Of the PNALT patients, 38.5% had normal liver histology, 25.4% had significant necroinflammation and/or fibrosis and 8.4% had established cirrhosis. Furthermore, histopathological differences between patients with high-normal ALT (0.5-1.0 x the upper limit of normal (ULN)) and low-normal ALT (≤ 0.5 x ULN) were evaluated. There was a significantly greater prevalence of histopathology in the high-normal group (40.0%) than in the low-normal group (16.6%) (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression identified that significant histopathology findings in PNALT patients correlated with age (P < 0.001) and ALT level (P < 0.001), with age >40 years and ALT >0.5 x ULN predicting significant histopathology. Our data indicate that liver biopsy is recommended in CHB patients >40 years of age, particularly when their ALT is 0.5-1.0 x ULN. The findings above provide evidence for indication of antiviral therapy in patients with PNALT and significant histopathological change.

Selection to reduce residual feed intake in pigs produces a correlated response in juvenile insulin-like growth factor-I concentration

Data from a selection experiment for residual feed intake (RFI) were used to estimate genetic correlations between measures of efficiency and performance traits with juvenile IGF-I, and to demonstrate direct and correlated responses to selection. The heritability of IGF-I was 0.28 +/- 0.06 and genetic correlations of IGF-I with feed intake (0.26 +/- 0.17), backfat (0.52 +/- 0.11), and feed conversion ratio (0.78 +/- 0.14) were moderate to large. The estimated and realized genetic correlations between RFI and IGF-I were 0.63 +/- 0.15 and 0.84. In contrast, genetic correlations between IGF-I and lifetime or test period growth did not differ (P > 0.05) significantly from zero (0.06 +/- 0.14 and -0.19 +/- 0.14). Selection for decreased RFI produced a direct response in RFI, as expected, and was accompanied by downward correlated responses in ADFI, juvenile IGF-I, backfat, and growth traits, listed in order of decreasing relative magnitude, and an increased loin muscle area. The correlated response in IGF-I to selection on RFI demonstrates that this physiological measure is genetically associated with efficiency, and is thus useful as an early information source to estimate genetic merit for efficiency before performance testing. Decreased juvenile IGF-I is associated with leaner, more efficient animals.

Photoelectrochemical degradation of methyl orange by TiO(2) nanopore arrays electrode and its comparison with TiO(2) nanotube arrays electrode

Highly ordered TiO(2) nanopore arrays (TNPs) electrode was applied as an electrode material for photoelectrochemical (PEC) degradation of methylic orange (MO). As a comparison, the self-organized TiO(2) nanotube arrays (TNAs) electrode about 500 nm in length was fabricated by Ti anodization in 0.5 wt% HF-H(2)O solution. The COD removal rate and color removal rate for PEC degradation of MO using the TNPs electrode was found to be 9 and 7%, respectively, as high as that obtained for TNAs electrode when biased at 0.5 V. The results indicate that the fast electron separation and transport properties of TNPs electrode makes it possesses enhanced PEC performance for the degradation of MO. In addition, the color removal rate of MO by TNPs PEC process increased with increasing bias potential and electrolyte concentration, but decreased with the increasing pH value and initial concentration of the reaction solution.