Study on the mechanism of cerium oxide catalytic ozonation for controlling the formation of bromate in drinking water

<p>This study evaluated the formation of bromate (Br) in the catalytic ozonation with cerium oxide (CeO₂) compared with single ozonation and several catalytic ozonation with metal oxides (i.e. magnesium oxide (MgO) and synthetic goethite (FeOOH)). The results showed that the least Br was generated in the O₃/CeO₂ system. Primary experiments have confirmed that both Br⁻ and Br could be hardly adsorbed by CeO₂, and thus the inhibition of Br in the O₃/CeO₂ process was mainly ascribed to the effect of CeO₂ on the ozone decomposition and subsequent hydroxyl radical () formation in the bulk solution. Firstly, the degradation of para-chloronitrobenzene (pCNB) was examined and the results showed that less pCNB was degraded by O₃/CeO₂ than single ozonation, suggesting that formation was inhibited in the O₃/CeO₂ system. Furthermore, the effect of inorganic anions (i.e. sulfate (S) and nitrate (N)) on the systems was investigated. It was found that S had a negative effect on the Br inhibition in the O₃/CeO₂ process, which was due to that S inhibited the adsorption of O₃ and oxygen-containing species by CeO₂ through competing the active sites of CeO₂. Moreover, the inhibition of Br formation in the catalytic ozonation with the CeO₂ samples calcined at different temperatures was also studied. The results showed that the efficiency of inhibition decreased in the following sequence CeO₂ (450°C) > CeO₂ (650°C) > CeO₂ (250°C). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses on the CeO₂ specimens showed that CeO₂ (450°C) had the highest Ce(IV) to Ce(III) ratio and the least lattice oxygen and adsorbed oxygen amount. Therefore, a new mechanism about the inhibition of Br formation in the O₃/CeO₂ system was proposed. Both O₃ molecules and some oxygen-containing intermediates from O₃ decomposition in solution will be adsorbed on the active sites of CeO₂, and the less lattice and adsorbed oxygen also promote the adsorption of oxygen-containing species on the CeO₂ surface. This will result in the inhibition of O₃ decomposition into in solution and thus inhibition of Br formation. This study improves our understanding of the O₃/CeO₂ process for controlling Br formation and also guides the practical application.</p

The performance of MR perfusion-weighted imaging for the differentiation of high-grade glioma from primary central nervous system lymphoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

<div><p>It is always a great challenge to distinguish high-grade glioma (HGG) from primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the performance of MR perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) in differentiating HGG from PCNSL. The heterogeneity and threshold effect were evaluated, and the sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE) and areas under summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) were calculated. Fourteen studies with a total of 598 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that PWI had a high level of accuracy (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.9415) for differentiating HGG from PCNSL by using the best parameter from each study. The dynamic susceptibility-contrast (DSC) technique might be an optimal index for distinguishing HGGs from PCNSLs (AUC = 0.9812). Furthermore, the DSC had the best sensitivity 0.963 (95%CI: 0.924, 0.986), whereas the arterial spin-labeling (ASL) displayed the best specificity 0.896 (95% CI: 0.781, 0.963) among those techniques. However, the variability of the optimal thresholds from the included studies suggests that further evaluation and standardization are needed before the techniques can be extensively clinically used.</p></div

Identification of a Novel Nonsense Mutation p.Tyr1957Ter of CACNA1A in a Chinese Family with Episodic Ataxia 2

<div><p>Type 2 episodic ataxia (EA2) is the most common subtype among a group of rare hereditary syndromes characterized by recurrent attacks of ataxia. More than 60 mutations and several gene rearrangements due to large deletions in CACNA1A gene have been reported so far for the cause of EA2. Because CACNA1A gene is a large gene containing 47 exons and there is no hot spot mutation, direct sequencing will be a challenge in clinical genetic testing. In this study, we used next generation sequencing technology to identify a novel nonsense mutation of CACNA1A (p.Tyr1957Ter, NP_001120693.1) resulting in truncated protein without 305 amino acids in the c-terminus. Sanger sequencing confirmed the heterozygous mutation of CACNA1A in a Chinese family with 11 affected individuals. Affected individuals experienced recurrent attacks with or without nystagmus, dysarthria, seizure, myokymia, dystonia, weakness, blurred vision, visual field defects, diplopia, migraine, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, sweating and abdominal pain. This is the first report of EA2 in a Chinese family that carries a novel mutation in CACNA1A gene and had abdominal pain as a novel phenotype associated with EA2.</p> </div

Table_2_Cortical metabolic characteristics of anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 antibody encephalitis based on 18F-FDG PET.DOCX

PurposeA general glucose metabolism pattern is observed in patients with anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) antibody encephalitis; however, it is unclear whether further subregional metabolic differences exist. Therefore, the present study aimed to conduct an in-depth exploration of the features of glucose metabolism within specific brain areas using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET).Materials and methodsThis retrospective study enrolled thirteen patients confirmed with LGI1 antibody encephalitis who were admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital from June 2021 to September 2022. All patients underwent 18F-FDG PET before initiating clinical treatment. Changes in glucose metabolism in specific brain areas were analyzed using Cortex ID software. The laterality of 18F-FDG uptake was assessed, and differences in specific brain areas were compared using paired t-tests.ResultsSignificant metabolic changes in at least one brain region in 11 out of 13 patients (84.6%) were revealed by semi-quantitative analysis (z-score > 2). A bilateral decrease in the 18F-FDG metabolic pattern was revealed in almost all brain regions of interest; in contrast, a hypermetabolic pattern was observed in the medial temporal region, with mean z-scores of 1.75 ± 3.27 and 2.36 ± 5.90 on the left and right sides, respectively (p = 0.497). In the prefrontal and temporal lobes, 18F-FDG metabolism was significantly lower in the lateral region than in the medial region on both sides. For the cingulate cortex, significant hypometabolism was also observed in the posterior part compared to the anterior counterpart on both the left (z-score: −1.20 ± 1.93 vs. −0.42 ± 1.18, respectively; p = 0.047) and right (z-score: −1.56 ± 1.96 vs. −0.33 ± 1.63, respectively; p = 0.001) sides. However, a significant difference in regional metabolism was observed only on the left side (p = 0.041).ConclusionAn asymmetric 18F-FDG metabolic pattern exists in patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis. Meanwhile, varied regional metabolic differences were revealed bilaterally in specific cerebral areas, which could be associated with the clinical manifestations.</p

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of Ferrocenyl Ketones: A Synthetic Method for Chiral Ferrocenyl Alcohols

Highly effective asymmetric hydrogenation of various ferrocenyl ketones, including aliphatic ferrocenyl ketones as well as the more challenging aryl ferrocenyl ketones, was realized in the presence of a Ru/diphosphine/diamine bifunctional catalytic system. Excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99.8% ee) and activities (S/C = 5000) could be obtained. These asymmetric hydrogenations provided a convenient and efficient synthetic method for chiral ferrocenyl alcohols, which are key intermediates for a variety of chiral ferrocenyl ligands and resolving reagents

Summary Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve (SROC).

<p>(A) Overall group; (B) DSC group; (C) ASL group; (D) DCE group. AUC area under the curve.</p

Forest plot showing the sensitivity and specificity of different groups for the differentiation of HGGs from PCNSLs.

<p>(A) Overall group; (B) DSC group; (C) ASL group; (D) DCE group.</p

Funnel plot of publication bias.

<p>(A) Overall group; (B) DSC group; (C) ASL group; (D) DCE group.</p

Table_1_Cortical metabolic characteristics of anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 antibody encephalitis based on 18F-FDG PET.DOCX

PurposeA general glucose metabolism pattern is observed in patients with anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) antibody encephalitis; however, it is unclear whether further subregional metabolic differences exist. Therefore, the present study aimed to conduct an in-depth exploration of the features of glucose metabolism within specific brain areas using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET).Materials and methodsThis retrospective study enrolled thirteen patients confirmed with LGI1 antibody encephalitis who were admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital from June 2021 to September 2022. All patients underwent 18F-FDG PET before initiating clinical treatment. Changes in glucose metabolism in specific brain areas were analyzed using Cortex ID software. The laterality of 18F-FDG uptake was assessed, and differences in specific brain areas were compared using paired t-tests.ResultsSignificant metabolic changes in at least one brain region in 11 out of 13 patients (84.6%) were revealed by semi-quantitative analysis (z-score > 2). A bilateral decrease in the 18F-FDG metabolic pattern was revealed in almost all brain regions of interest; in contrast, a hypermetabolic pattern was observed in the medial temporal region, with mean z-scores of 1.75 ± 3.27 and 2.36 ± 5.90 on the left and right sides, respectively (p = 0.497). In the prefrontal and temporal lobes, 18F-FDG metabolism was significantly lower in the lateral region than in the medial region on both sides. For the cingulate cortex, significant hypometabolism was also observed in the posterior part compared to the anterior counterpart on both the left (z-score: −1.20 ± 1.93 vs. −0.42 ± 1.18, respectively; p = 0.047) and right (z-score: −1.56 ± 1.96 vs. −0.33 ± 1.63, respectively; p = 0.001) sides. However, a significant difference in regional metabolism was observed only on the left side (p = 0.041).ConclusionAn asymmetric 18F-FDG metabolic pattern exists in patients with anti-LGI1 encephalitis. Meanwhile, varied regional metabolic differences were revealed bilaterally in specific cerebral areas, which could be associated with the clinical manifestations.</p

Identification of novel premature mutation (p.Tyr1957Ter) in the c-tail of CACNA1A in a Chinese EA2 family.

<p>A. Schematic of the bioinformatics analysis pipeline of data from next generation sequencing to identify nonsense mutation (p.Tyr1957Ter) in CACNA1A. SNP, single nucleotide polymorphism, InDels, insertions or deletions, BWA, Burrows-Wheeler Alignment Tool, SNV, single nucleotide variants. B. Confirmation of a heterozygous mutation in CACNA1A (c.6107C>A, NM_001127221.1, p.Tyr1957Ter, NP_001120693.1) by Sanger sequencing in the proband. C. A heterozygous C/A change at nucleotide 6107 in the affected individual D. C/C sequence at nucleotide 6107 in grandfather (I-1).</p