Microalgae-enhanced bioremediation of Cr(VI) ions using spent coffee ground-derived magnetic biochar MoS2-Ag composites

Composites of magnetic biochar derived from spent coffee grounds were prepared using MoS2 decorated by plasmonic silver nanoparticles (MoS2-Ag), which were used for the bioremediation Cr6+ ions. The composites were characterized by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The bioremediation of Cr6+ ions was enhanced almost two times compared to microalgae, Spirulina maxima. Such an increased activity is attributed to heterojunction formation of Biochar@MoS2-Ag composite due to the synergetic effects of surface plasmon resonance of AgNPs inducing amplified local electric field, thus simultaneously increasing the absorption of MoS2 under visible or near-infrared light. The combination of Biochar@MoS2-Ag and Spirulina maxima powder was effective for the separation (microalga-based absorption and accumulation of Cr6+ ions) of photo-induced carriers (composite-assisted to breakdown Cr6+ ions). This study offers efficient eco-friendly treatment of Cr6+ ions by reporting the first enhanced bioremediation of Cr(VI) ions by microalgae using MoS2-Ag-modified biochar obtained from consumed coffee grounds.

Universal DNA methylation age across mammalian tissues

Aging, often considered a result of random cellular damage, can be accurately estimated using DNA methylation profiles, the foundation of pan-tissue epigenetic clocks. Here, we demonstrate the development of universal pan-mammalian clocks, using 11,754 methylation arrays from our Mammalian Methylation Consortium, which encompass 59 tissue types across 185 mammalian species. These predictive models estimate mammalian tissue age with high accuracy (r > 0.96). Age deviations correlate with human mortality risk, mouse somatotropic axis mutations and caloric restriction. We identified specific cytosines with methylation levels that change with age across numerous species. These sites, highly enriched in polycomb repressive complex 2-binding locations, are near genes implicated in mammalian development, cancer, obesity and longevity. Our findings offer new evidence suggesting that aging is evolutionarily conserved and intertwined with developmental processes across all mammals.

Transparent Oil-Water Separating Spiky SiO2 Nanoparticle Supramolecular Polymer Superhydrophobic Coatings

A potential application of spiky SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) with tubular and rough surfaces is investigated as superhydrophobic coatings, for their unique transparent, fluorinate-free, and environmentally friendly properties. This study demonstrates a facile method for the successful fabrication of superhydrophobic coatings and SiO₂ @polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using spiky SiO₂ NPs, N-coordinated boroxines, and PDMS. Combined with spray coating technology, this method of superhydrophobic coating can be simply applied to both hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, including wood, fabric, glass, metal, sponge, and paper. The nanocomposite coating on the glass surface showed both excellent superhydrophobicity and high transparency, with a contact angle of 165.4 ± 1.0° and 96.93% transmittance at 550 nm, respectively. SiO₂ @PDMS-modified glass substrate is found to be resilient to UV irradiation, water, and high temperature treatments at ambient conditions. Experimental data demonstrated that the simple but effective combination of N-boroxine-PDMS and spiky SiO₂ NPs produces a layered coating material that exhibits many good integrated surface properties, including stability, transparency, superhydrophobicity, and oil-water separation.

Core-shell Au@ZIF-67-based pollutant monitoring of thiram and carbendazim pesticides

A sensitive and stable substrate plays a vital role in the Raman spectroscopic techniques as an analytical method for detecting pesticides effectively from the environment. Enhancing signals from nanoparticles are weak and inconsistent in repeatability since analytes tend to degrade quickly under laser exposure. Herein, a novel substrate of Au@ZIF-67 is prepared on octahedral AuNPs by trapping pesticide molecules with small three-dimensional volumes by the flexibility of ZIF-67 for rapid detection with high sensitivity and stability. The two types of thiram and carbendazim pesticides, which are environmental pollutants that affect biodiversity, were successfully absorbed in Au@ZIF-67 nanostructures by adsorption-desorption equilibrium for analytical purposes in Raman spectroscopy. Spectra calculations of the thiram and carbendazim molecules on 8 atoms of Au using DFT were compared with the experimental data. The SERS enhancement factors for thiram and carbendazim were estimated to be 1.91 × 10⁸ and 3.12 × 10⁸, respectively, with the LOD values of trace amounts of ∼10^-10 mol L^-1. The novel substrate of Au@ZIF-67 is a propitious platform for detecting thiram and carbendazim in trace amounts, providing a helpful strategy for detecting residues with high performance in the environment at the laboratory and practical scales.

Photothermal plasmonic microballs for non-contact single-cell calcium ionophore delivery in heterogeneous cells

Hierarchical plasmonic nanostructures comprising gold nanorod (AuNR)-covered microballs via syringe-injection reduction show good potential for selective single-cell calcium ionophore (A23187) delivery and apoptosis induction in heterogenous cancer cells.

Spectroscopic analysis of microplastic contaminants in an urban wastewater treatment plant from Seoul, South Korea

In this study, a systematic multi-spectroscopic analysis of microplastics (MPs) sampled from a metropolitan area of Seoul was undertaken to elevate understanding of the role of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in eliminating suspended contaminants including MPs before releasing the effluent water into the environment. We analyzed pollutants in influent and effluent samples from a WWTP in Seoul, South Korea. Spectroscopic and microscopic methods were used to analyze MPs. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy in the wavenumber region between 4000 and 715 cm^-1 was employed to estimate the abundance of MPs in wastewater. Stereomicroscope images and Nile red staining were used to facilely identify MPs in both influents and effluents to compare the results with those of FT-IR data. Hyperspectral imaging could identify MPs in the influent sample with the reflection method at 400-900 nm. Our preliminary results indicate that the most observed MPs after the wastewater were filtered by a 45 μm stainless steel mesh filter were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The total number of the prevalent MPs in influent samples decreased significantly. Nanostructure particles could be found by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Our combined multi-spectroscopic study should be helpful to provide a guideline for the rapid spectroscopic analysis of freshwater in the Han River, Seoul, South Korea.

Effect of Vitamin D supplementation to reduce respiratory infections in children and adolescents in Vietnam: A randomized controlled trial

Background

It is uncertain whether vitamin D can reduce respiratory infection.

Objective

To determine whether vitamin D supplementation reduces influenza and other upper viral respiratory tract infections.

Methods

A total of 1300 healthy children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 17 years were randomized to vitamin D (14 000 U weekly) or placebo for 8 months in Vietnam. The primary outcome was reverse transcriptase (RT)‐PCR–confirmed influenza infection, and the coprimary outcome was multiplex PCR–confirmed non‐influenza respiratory viruses. Participants, caregivers, and those assessing outcomes were blinded to group assignment.

Results

A total of 650 children and adolescents were randomly assigned to vitamin D and 650 to placebo. The mean baseline serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels were 65.7 nmol/L and 65.2 nmol/L in the intervention and placebo groups, respectively, with an increase to 91.8 nmol/L in the vitamin D group and no increase, 64.5 nmol/L, in the placebo group. All 1300 participants randomized contributed to the analysis. We observed RT‐PCR–confirmed influenza A or B occurred in 50 children (7.7%) in the vitamin D group and in 43 (6.6%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.79‐1.78). RT‐PCR–confirmed non‐influenza respiratory virus infection occurred in 146 (22.5%) in the vitamin D group and in 185 (28.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.61‐0.94). When considering all respiratory viruses, including influenza, the effect of vitamin D in reducing infection was significant, HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66‐0.99.

Conclusion

Vitamin D supplementation did not reduce the incidence of influenza but moderately reduced non‐influenza respiratory viral infection.

Epidemiological, Serological, and Virological Features of Dengue in Nha Trang City, Vietnam

Vietnam is endemic for dengue. We conducted a series of retrospective and prospective studies to characterize the epidemiology of dengue and population mobility patterns in Nha Trang city, Vietnam, with a view to rational design of trials of community-level interventions. A 10-year time series of dengue case notifications showed pronounced interannual variability, as well as spatial heterogeneity in ward-level dengue incidence (median annual coefficient of variation k = 0.47). Of 451 children aged 1-10 years enrolled in a cross-sectional serosurvey, almost one-third had evidence of a past dengue virus (DENV) infection, with older children more likely to have a multitypic response indicative of past exposure to ≥ 1 serotype. All four DENV serotypes were detected in hospitalized patients during 8 months of sampling in 2015. Mobility data collected from 1,000 children and young adults via prospective travel diaries showed that, although all ages spent approximately half of their daytime hours (5:00 am-9:00 pm) at home, younger age groups (≤ 14 years) spent a significantly greater proportion of their time within 500 m of home than older respondents. Together these findings inform the rational design of future trials of dengue preventive interventions in this setting by identifying 1) children < 7 years as an optimal target group for a flavivirus-naive serological cohort, 2) children and young adults as the predominant patient population for a study with a clinical end point of symptomatic dengue, and 3) substantial spatial and temporal variations in DENV transmission, with a consequent requirement for a trial to be large enough and of long enough duration to overcome this heterogeneity.

Community Mobilization to Reduce Drug Use, Quang Ninh, Vietnam

Objectives. We implemented an intervention to reduce drug use in an urban commune in northern Vietnam. Methods. We encouraged the intervention commune to accept responsibility for developing their own intervention strategies based on a community mobilization model used in southern, rural China. We selected a comparison commune, which had demographic characteristics and a drug history similar to the intervention commune. The 2-year incidence of new drug users was estimated retrospectively in the intervention and comparison communes between baseline (2003) and follow-up (2009). Results. Increased incidence of new (noninjecting) drug users between 2003 and 2009 in the intervention commune was lower than that in the comparison commune, and these participants expressed more positive attitudes toward local authority and people with drug use and HIV/AIDS. Increased condom use during last intercourse with female sex workers and with female casual partners was observed in the intervention commune. HIV prevalence and positive opioid tests decreased more in the intervention commune. Conclusions. Our results suggested that the community mobilization had a positive influence in the intervention commune.

Electronic structure and transport properties of monatomic Fe chains in a vacuum and anchored to a graphene nanoribbon

The electronic structure and transport properties of monatomic Fe wires of different characteristics are studied within the density functional theory. In both equidistant and dimerized (more stable) isolated wires, magnetism plays an important role since it leads to different shapes of the transmission coefficients for each spin component. In equidistant wires, electron localization around the Fermi level leads to symmetry breaking between d(xy) and d(x(2)-y(2)) bands. The main effect of the structural dimerization is to decrease the number of channels available for the minority spin component. When anchored to the edges of a graphene nanoribbon, the dimerization of the chain is preserved, despite the hybridization of the d states of Fe with the C atoms which gives way to a reduction in the number of d channels around the Fermi level. Most conduction is then led by an electronic channel from the ribbon and the sp(z) bands from the Fe wires. Suggestions to improve the spintronic ability of Fe wires are proposed.

Low-temperature triple-alpha rate in a full three-body nuclear model

A new three-body method is used to compute the rate of the triple-alpha capture reaction, which is the primary source of 12C in stars. In this Letter, we combine the Faddeev hyperspherical harmonics and the R-matrix method to obtain a full solution to the three-body α+α+α continuum. Particular attention is paid to the long-range effects caused by the pairwise Coulomb interactions. The new rate agrees with the Nuclear Astrophysics Compilation of Reaction rates for temperatures greater than 0.07 GK, but a large enhancement at lower temperature is found (≈10(12) at 0.02 GK). Our results are compared to previous calculations where additional approximations were made. We show that the new rate does not significantly change the evolution of stars around one solar mass. In particular, such stars still undergo a red-giant phase consistent with observations, and no significant differences are found in the final white dwarfs.

Risk factors for human infection with avian influenza A H5N1, Vietnam, 2004

To evaluate risk factors for human infection with influenza A subtype H5N1, we performed a matched case-control study in Vietnam. We enrolled 28 case-patients who had laboratory-confirmed H5N1 infection during 2004 and 106 age-, sex-, and location-matched control-respondents. Data were analyzed by matched-pair analysis and multivariate conditional logistic regression. Factors that were independently associated with H5N1 infection were preparing sick or dead poultry for consumption < or =7 days before illness onset (matched odds ratio [OR] 8.99, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.98-81.99, p = 0.05), having sick or dead poultry in the household < or =7 days before illness onset (matched OR 4.94, 95% CI 1.21-20.20, p = 0.03), and lack of an indoor water source (matched OR 6.46, 95% CI 1.20-34.81, p = 0.03). Factors not significantly associated with infection were raising healthy poultry, preparing healthy poultry for consumption, and exposure to persons with an acute respiratory illness.

Effect of hydroxypropyl-?-cyclodextrin-complexation and pH on solubility of camptothecin

The influence of both pH and complexation by hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) on the overall solubility of camptothecin (CPT) was studied, with particular focus on the equilibrium between its lactone- and carboxylate-form. Phase solubility studies at therapeutically relevant pH values (pH 5.5-7.0) and physiologically acceptable HP-beta-CD-concentrations (0-25% (w/v)) were performed, and amounts of solubilized CPT quantified by HPLC. The solubility of CPT increased with both increasing pH and HP-beta-CD-concentration. The apparent complexation constant (KC) decreased with increasing pH (245 M(-1) at pH 5.5; 184 M(-1) at pH 7.0). The lactone-carboxylate equivalence point shifted from a pH value of 6.8-7.0 and 7.1 with 0, 10 and 25% HP-beta-CD, respectively. The lactone-carboxylate-ratios from the equilibrium study were applied to the phase-solubility data, and the lactone- and carboxylate concentrations at 0, 10 and 25% HP-beta-CD calculated. Separate complexation constants (KC) for the carboxylate-CPT and lactone-CPT could thus be derived, and found to be 113 +/- 7 and 260 +/- 18 M(-1), respectively. This allows the prediction of amounts of both lactone- and carboxylate-CPT solubilized at any HP-beta-CD concentration and pH-combination.

Mast cell regulation of inflammation and gene expression during antigen-induced bladder inflammation in mice

Mast cell numbers are significantly increased in bladder disorders including malignancy and interstitial cystitis, but their precise role has been difficult to determine. We characterized the role of mast cells on gene regulation associated with antigen-induced bladder inflammation in mice. For this purpose, we examined the responses in mast cell-deficient (Kit(W)/Kit(W-v)), congenic normal (+/+), and Kit(W)/Kit(W-v) mice that were reconstituted with bone marrow stem cells (BMR) to restore mast cells. All mice were actively sensitized and challenged intravesically with either saline or specific antigen. Bladder inflammation occurred in +/+ and BMR but not the Kit(W)/Kit(W-v) mice. Gene expression was determined using mouse cDNA expression arrays. Self-organizing maps, performed without preconditions, indicated gene expression changes dependent on the presence of mast cells. These genes were upregulated in bladders isolated from antigen challenge of +/+, not altered in Kit(W)/Kit(W-v), and were upregulated in BMR mice. Taken together these results demonstrate an important role for mast cells in allergic cystitis and indicate that mast cells can alter their environment by regulating tissue gene expression.

Time course of LPS-induced gene expression in a mouse model of genitourinary inflammation

In this study, self-organizing map (SOM) gene cluster techniques are applied to the analysis of cDNA microarray analysis of gene expression changes occurring in the early stages of genitourinary inflammation. We determined the time course of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced gene expression in experimental cystitis. Mice were euthanized 0.5, 1, 4, and 24 h after LPS instillation into the urinary bladder, and gene expression was determined using four replicate Atlas mouse cDNA expression arrays containing 588 known genes at each time point. SOM gene cluster analysis, performed without preconditions, identified functionally significant gene clusters based on the kinetics of change in gene expression. Genes were classified as follows: 1) expressed at time 0; 2) early genes (peak expression between 0.5 and 1 h); and 3) late genes (peak expression between 4 and 24 h). One gene cluster maintained a constant level of expression during the entire time period studied. In contrast, LPS treatment downregulated the expression of some genes expressed at time 0, in a cluster including transcription factors, protooncogenes, apoptosis-related proteins (cysteine protease), intracellular kinases, and growth factors. Gene upregulation in response to LPS was observed as early as 0.5 h in a cluster including the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor, alpha- and beta-nerve growth factor (alpha- and beta-NGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGF R1), C-C chemokine receptor, and P-selectin. Another tight cluster of genes with marked expression at 1 h after LPS and insignificant expression at all other time points studied included the protooncogenes c-Fos, Fos-B, Fra-2, Jun-B, Jun-D, and Egr-1. Almost all interleukin genes were upregulated as early as 1 h after stimulation with LPS. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathway genes collected in a single cluster with a peak expression 4 h after LPS stimulation. In contrast, most of the interleukin receptors and chemokine receptors presented a late peak of expression 24 h after LPS coinciding with the peak of neutrophil infiltration into the bladder wall. Selected cDNA microarray observations were confirmed by RNase protection assay. In conclusion, the cDNA array experimental approach provided a global profile of gene expression changes in bladder tissue after stimulation with LPS. SOM techniques identified functionally significant gene clusters, providing a powerful technical basis for future analysis of mechanisms of bladder inflammation.

Neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor is required in antigen-induced cystitis

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a debilitating disease that has been adversely affecting the quality of women's lives for many years. The trigger in IC is not entirely known, and a role for the sensory nerves in its pathogenesis has been suggested. In addition to inflammation, increased mast cell numbers in the detrusor muscle have been reported in a subset of IC patients. Experimentally, several lines of evidence support a central role for substance P and neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors in cystitis. The availability of mice genetically deficient in neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R(-/-)) allows us to directly evaluate the importance of substance P in cystitis. An unexpected finding of this investigation is that NK-1R(-/-) mice present increased numbers of mast cells in the bladder when compared with wild-type control mice. Despite the increase in mast cell numbers, no concomitant inflammation was observed. In addition, bladder instillation of wild-type mice with a sensitizing antigen induces activation of mast cells and an acute inflammatory response characterized by plasma extravasation, edema, and migration of neutrophils. Antigen-sensitized NK-1R(-/-) mice also exhibit bladder mast cell degranulation in response to antigen challenge. However, NK-1R(-/-) mice are protected from inflammation, failing to present bladder inflammatory cell infiltrate or edema in response to antigen challenge. This work presents the first evidence of participation of NK-1 receptors in cystitis and a mandatory participation of these receptors on the chain of events linking mast cell degranulation and inflammation.

Double-blind studies with mefloquine alone and in combination with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine in 120 adults and 120 children with falciparum malaria in Vietnam

In 120 adult Vietnamese patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria the efficacy of, and tolerance to, mefloquine (M) vs the combination of mefloquine + sulfadoxine + pyrimethamine (MSP) was studied in a double-blind, randomized comparative trial with chloroquine. Also, a double-blind dose finding study of MSP was performed in 120 Vietnamese children with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. In the adults the mean parasite clearance time with M was 3.8 d and with MSP 3.6 d. Defervescence occurred in 2.9 and 3.0 d respectively for M and MSP. There was a 36.8% resistance rate in 38 patients treated with chloroquine. 96% of the children were sensitive or showed a delayed RI response. The lowest dose of MSP (10 mg/kg M + 20 mg/kg S + 1.0 mg/kg P, 1 tablet Fansimef) was as effective as 1.5-2x this dose in children weighing 23-30 kg. Side effects were mild, except for vomiting which required alternative therapy in 4 patients.

Computer comparison of bitemark patterns in identical twins

Individual dental patterns have been explored by direct comparison of test bites from several sets of young adult monozygotic twins. For this purpose, epoxy models from the dentition of each twin were used for experimental tooth indentations and converted to radiographic contact profiles. These sharply outlined radiographic bitemark patterns were then subjected to a computerized comparison, involving electronic storage and correlations. Despite similar developmental morphology of individual teeth, there were significant variations between the twins in each pair with respect to the individual arrangements of the anterior teeth in the dental arch; the teeth had distinctly different rotations, sometimes reflecting a mirror image of the twin-pair bitemark patterns. Thus, the computer comparison made it clear that in terms of occlusal arch form and individual tooth positions, even so-called identical twins are in fact not dentally identical.