Selective heavy metal removal and water purification by microfluidically-generated chitosan microspheres: Characteristics, modeling and application

Many industrial wastewater streams contain heavy metals, posing serious and irreversible damage to humans and living organisms, even at low concentrations due to their high toxicity and persistence in the environment. In this study, high-performance monodispersed chitosan (CS) microspheres were prepared using a simple microfluidic method and evaluated for metal removal from contaminated water. Batch experiments were carried out to evaluate the adsorption characteristics for the removal of copper ions, one representative heavy metal, from aqueous solutions. The inherent advantages of microfluidics enabled a precise control of particle size (CV = 2.3%), while exhibiting outstanding selectivity towards target ions (adsorption capacity 75.52 mg g−1) and fair regeneration (re-adsorption efficiency 74% after 5 cycles). An integrated adsorption mechanism analytic system was developed based on different adsorption kinetics and isotherms models, providing an excellent adsorption prediction model with pseudo-second order kinetics (R2 = 0.999), while the isotherm was fitted best to the Langmuir model (R2 = 0.998). The multi-step adsorption process was revealed via quantitative measurements and schematically described. Selective adsorption performance of CS microspheres in the present of other competitive metal ions with different valence states has been demonstrated and studied by both experimental and density functional theory (DFT) analysis

DNA-Interacting Characteristics of the Archaeal Rudiviral Protein SIRV2_Gp1

Whereas the infection cycles of many bacterial and eukaryotic viruses have been characterized in detail, those of archaeal viruses remain largely unexplored. Recently, studies on a few model archaeal viruses such as SIRV2 (Sulfolobus islandicus rod-shaped virus) have revealed an unusual lysis mechanism that involves the formation of pyramidal egress structures on the host cell surface. To expand understanding of the infection cycle of SIRV2, we aimed to functionally characterize gp1, which is a SIRV2 gene with unknown function. The SIRV2_Gp1 protein is highly expressed during early stages of infection and it is the only protein that is encoded twice on the viral genome. It harbours a helix-turn-helix motif and was therefore hypothesized to bind DNA. The DNA-binding behavior of SIRV2_Gp1 was characterized with electrophoretic mobility shift assays and atomic force microscopy. We provide evidence that the protein interacts with DNA and that it forms large aggregates, thereby causing extreme condensation of the DNA. Furthermore, the N-terminal domain of the protein mediates toxicity to the viral host Sulfolobus. Our findings may lead to biotechnological applications, such as the development of a toxic peptide for the containment of pathogenic bacteria, and add to our understanding of the Rudiviral infection cycle.status: publishe

Other measurements at 10 m from station Sioux Falls (2015-05)

Showing 5-HT6 mutations influenced the distance between the AIS and cell body in hippocampal neurons. Mutations D72A and K265A restored the distance between the AIS and cell body. 5-HT6-EGFP (green) indicated primary cilia. NF186 (purple) was a marker of the AIS. Scale bars, 10 μm. (DOC 6784 kb

Additional file 3: Figure S3. of Serotonin 5-HT6 receptors affect cognition in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by regulating cilia function

Showing the effect of 5-HT6 on cilia length in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. (A) 5-HT6 regulated cilia length in excitatory neurons. 5-HT6 indicated cilia. CamkII was the marker of excitatory neuron. (B) Overexpression of 5-HT6 increased cilia length. siRNA of 5-HT6 reduced cilia length. 5-HT6, ***p < 0.001; 5-HT6 siRNA, *p < 0.05 (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.001). (C) 5-HT6 regulated cilia length in inhibitory neurons. Gad was the maker of inhibitory neuron. 5-HT6 indicated cilia. (D) Cilia length increased by overexpression of 5-HT6 and decreased by siRNA of 5-HT6. 5-HT6, ***p < 0.001; 5-HT6 siRNA, *p < 0.05 (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.001). Scale bars, 10 μm. All data presented as mean ± SEM. (DOC 4724 kb

Additional file 7: Figure S7. of Serotonin 5-HT6 receptors affect cognition in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease by regulating cilia function

Showing 5-HT6 mutations influenced the distance between the AIS and cell body in hippocampal neurons. Mutations D72A and K265A restored the distance between the AIS and cell body. 5-HT6-EGFP (green) indicated primary cilia. NF186 (purple) was a marker of the AIS. Scale bars, 10 μm. (DOC 6784 kb

Simple linear regression between axial length change and baseline SE refractive error (DS).

<p>Simple linear regression between axial length change and baseline SE refractive error (DS).</p

Univariate regression analyses of different independent variables on axial length elongation.

<p>Univariate regression analyses of different independent variables on axial length elongation.</p

Factors related to axial length elongation and myopia progression in orthokeratology practice

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>To investigate which baseline factors are predictive for axial length growth over an average period of 2.5 years in a group of children wearing orthokeratology (OK) contact lenses.</p><p>Methods</p><p>In this retrospective study, the clinical records of 249 new OK wearers between January 2012 and December 2013 from the contact lens clinic at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University were reviewed. The primary outcome measure was axial length change from baseline to the time of review (July-August 2015). Independent variables included baseline measures of age at initiation of OK wear, gender, refractive error (spherical equivalent), astigmatism, average keratometry, corneal toricity, central corneal thickness, white-to-white corneal diameter, pupil size, corneal topography eccentricity value (e-value), intraocular pressure (IOP) and total time in follow-up (months total). The contributions of all independent variables on axial length change at the time of review were assessed using univariate and multivariable regression analyses.</p><p>Results</p><p>Univariate analyses of the right eyes of 249 OK patients showed that smaller increases in axial length were associated with older age at the onset of OK lens wear, greater baseline spherical equivalent myopic refractive error, less time in follow-up and a smaller e-value. Multivariable analyses of the significant right eye variables showed that the factors associated with smaller axial length growth were older age at the onset of OK lens wear (p<0.0001), greater baseline spherical equivalent myopic refractive error (p = 0.0046) and less time in follow-up (p<0.0001).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>The baseline factors demonstrating the greatest correlation with reduced axial length elongation during OK lens wear in myopic children included greater baseline spherical equivalent myopic refractive error and older age at the onset of OK lens wear.</p></div

Simple linear regression between axial length change and E value.

<p>Simple linear regression between axial length change and E value.</p

Multivariable regression analysis showing the strength of association between the independent variables and axial length growth.

<p>Multivariable regression analysis showing the strength of association between the independent variables and axial length growth.</p