A multifunctional azobenzene-based polymeric adsorbent for effective water remediation

The efficient removal of trace carcinogenic organic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and ionic dyes, from water is an important technical challenge. We report a highly effective recyclable multifunctional azobenzene (AZ)-based silica-supported polymeric adsorbent which can simultaneously remove both PAHs and anionic dyes from water to below parts per billion (ppb) level based on multiple interactions such as the hydrophobic effect, [pi]–[pi] stacking and electrostatic interactions, thus providing a new strategy for designer water remediation materials

Ciliary parathyroid hormone signaling activates transforming growth factor-β to maintain intervertebral disc homeostasis during aging

© 2018 The Author(s). Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is associated with intervertebral disc degeneration of spinal instability. Here, we report that the cilia of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells mediate mechanotransduction to maintain anabolic activity in the discs. We found that mechanical stress promotes transport of parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) to the cilia and enhances parathyroid hormone (PTH) signaling in NP cells. PTH induces transcription of integrin αvβ6 to activate the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-connective tissue growth factor (CCN2)-matrix proteins signaling cascade. Intermittent injection of PTH (iPTH) effectively attenuates disc degeneration of aged mice by direct signaling through NP cells, specifically improving intervertebral disc height and volume by increasing levels of TGF-β activity, CCN2, and aggrecan. PTH1R is expressed in both mouse and human NP cells. Importantly, knockout PTH1R or cilia in the NP cells results in significant disc degeneration and blunts the effect of PTH on attenuation of aged discs. Thus, mechanical stress-induced transport of PTH1R to the cilia enhances PTH signaling, which helps maintain intervertebral disc homeostasis, particularly during aging, indicating therapeutic potential of iPTH for DDD

Mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a noninferior modality to standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy for the management of 20-40 mm renal calculi: A Multicenter randomized controlled trial

Background: High quality of evidence comparing mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPNL) with standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (sPNL) for the treatment of larger-sized renal stones is lacking. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of mPNL and sPNL for the treatment of 20–40 mm renal stones. Design, setting, and participants: A parallel, open-label, and noninferior randomized controlled trial was performed at 20 Chinese centers (2016–2019). The inclusion criteria were patients 18–70 yr old, with normal renal function, and 20–40 mm renal stones. Intervention: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy PNL was performed using either 18 F or 24 F percutaneous nephrostomy tracts. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: The primary outcome was the one-session stone-free rate (SFR). The secondary outcomes included operating time, visual analog pain scale (VAS) score, blood loss, complications as per the Clavien-Dindo grading system, and length of hospitalization. Results and limitations: The 1980 intention-to-treat patients were randomized. The mPNL group achieved a noninferior one-session SFR to the sPNL group by the one-side noninferiority test (0.5% [difference], p < 0.001). The transfusion and embolization rates were comparable; however, the sPNL group had a higher hemoglobin drop (5.2 g/l, p < 0.001). The sPNL yielded shorter operating time (–2.2 min, p = 0.008) but a higher VAS score (0.8, p < 0.001). Patients in the sPNL group also had longer hospitalization (0.6 d, p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in fever or urosepsis occurrences. The study's main limitation was that only 18F or 24F tract sizes were used. Conclusions: Mini mPNL achieves noninferior SFR outcomes to sPNL, but with reduced bleeding, less postoperative pain, and shorter hospitalization. Patient summary: We evaluated the surgical outcomes of percutaneous nephrolithotomy using two different sizes of nephrostomy tracts in a large population. We found that the smaller tract might be a sensible alternative for patients with 20–40 mm renal stones. This multicenter, parallel, open-label, and noninferior randomized controlled trial showed that mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy achieved noninferior stone-free rate with advantages of reduced blood loss, less postoperative pain, and shorter hospitalization. Mini percutaneous nephrolithotomy should be considered a sensible alternative treatment of 20–40 mm renal stones.grants from high-level development funding of Guangzhou Medical Universit

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of a popular ornamental plant Calibrachoa hybrida (Solanaceae: Petunioideae)

Calibrachoa hybrida is a popular ornamental plant with colorful flowers. We present here the complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. hybrida. With a total length of 156,099 bp, it is comprised of a large single-copy (LSC) region of 86,695 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,694 bp separated by two inverted repeats (IRs) of 25,355 bp for each. A total of 132 genes were identified, consisting of 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis using complete chloroplast genomes clustered C. hybrida together with petunia into the subfamily Petunioideae within the family Solanaceae

Study of Machining Characteristics of Micro EDM in Nitrogen Plasma Jet

Micro electrical discharge machining (EDM) has been used to drill micro-holes and to generate micro-features for applications in automotive, aerospace and biomedical industries. The tool electrode wear ratio in micro-EDM usually is larger than that in conventional EDM process. It has been reported that the electrode wear ratio is almost zero in gas. However, its narrow discharge gap leads to frequent occurrence of abnormal discharges. In order to enlarge the discharge gap in micro-EDM, Nitrogen plasma jet (NPJ) has been used as the working media for micro-EDM in this study. NPJ is generated by using a needle-cylinder type corona discharge with an AC power supply in pure nitrogen gas. A RC-type pulse generator is used to realize micro electrical discharges in this investigation. It is expected that the electrons and ions in NPJ increase the electrical conductivity in the discharge gap. Thus, a large discharge gap can be obtained. To investigate the machining characteristics of micro-EDM in NPJ, series of experiments in NPJ, nitrogen jet (NJ) and deionized water (DIW) have been carried out. The discharge distance, machining time, electrode wear and surface roughness under different conditions have been recorded. The measured data has been analyzed together with the discharge signals. It was found that the discharge distance in NPJ is larger than that in NJ. The machining process in NPJ is much more stable than in NJ. The observed volumetric difference of electrode wear is very small, probably due to the small total material removal. The machining efficiency in DIW is the highest. However, the surface roughness in DIW is worse than that in NPJ.status: publishe