Diagnosis and endovascular treatment of an internal mammary artery injury

Internal mammary artery (IMA) disruption after blunt chest trauma is rare. In some instances, it may occur after mild chest trauma with minor external physical findings. However, prompt diagnosis and treatment are necessary, as it can be associated with vascular and parenchymal injuries. We report a case of blunt chest trauma resulting in a sternal fracture associated with an IMA injury, active anterior mediastinal bleeding, bilateral lung contusions, and a left hemothorax. It was successfully treated by selective embolization to the left IMA branch and chest tube placement

Electricity generation and bivalent copper reduction as a function of operation time and cathode electrode material in microbial fuel cells

The performance of carbon rod (CR), titanium sheet (TS), stainless steel woven mesh (SSM) and copper sheet (CS) cathode materials are investigated in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for simultaneous electricity generation and Cu(II) reduction, in multiple batch cycle operations. After 12 cycles, the MFC with CR exhibits 55% reduction in the maximum power density and 76% increase in Cu(II) removal. In contrast, the TS and SSM cathodes at cycle 12 show maximum power densities of 1.7 (TS) and 3.4 (SSM) times, and Cu(II) removal of 1.2 (TS) and 1.3 (SSM) times higher than those observed during the first cycle. Diffusional resistance in the TS and SSM cathodes is found to appreciably decrease over time due to the copper deposition. In contrast to CR, TS and SSM, the cathode made with CS is heavily corroded in the first cycle, exhibiting significant reduction in both the maximum power density and Cu(II) removal at cycle 2, after which the performance stabilizes. These results demonstrate that the initial deposition of copper on the cathodes of MFCs is crucial for efficient and continuous Cu(II) reduction and electricity generation over prolonged time. This effect is closely associated with the nature of the cathode material. Among the materials examined, the SSM is the most effective and inexpensive cathode for practical use in MFCs

Complete removal of heavy metals with simultaneous efficient treatment of etching terminal wastewater using scaled-up microbial electrolysis cells

The treatment of actual low and high strengths etching terminal wastewater (ETW) from plating and electronic industry meeting national discharge standards is demonstrated in laboratory scale (1 L) and in scaled-up (40 L) microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). Both cylindrical single-chamber MECs achieved complete removal of heavy metals and efficient treatment of organics using either low strength ETW at an hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 5 d, or high strength wastewater at HRTs of 7 d (1 L) or 9 d (40 L). The removal rate of organics and heavy metals increased by 36-fold and scaled almost with the reactor volume ratio of 40. Electrode potentials in the scaled-up MECs (40 L) were resilient to the wastewater strength. Bacterial communities on both anodes and cathodes of the 1 L and the 40 L reactors experienced a selective shock and a significant community change after switching from low to high strengths wastewater, although reactor performance was effectively maintained. This study demonstrates complete removal of multiple heavy metals with simultaneous efficient wastewater treatment in MECs of different scales meeting China national discharge standards and provides a plausible approach for simultaneous removal of value-added products (e.g., heavy metals) and efficient treatment of practical etching terminal wastewater

Correlation between circuital current, Cu(II) reduction and cellular electron transfer in EAB isolated from Cu(II)-reduced biocathodes of microbial fuel cells

The performance of four indigenous electrochemically active bacteria (EAB) (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia JY1, Citrobacter sp. JY3, Pseudomonas aeruginosa JY5 and Stenotrophomonas sp. JY6) was evaluated for Cu(II) reduction on the cathodes of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). These EAB were isolated from well adapted mixed cultures on the MFC cathodes operated for Cu(II) reduction. The relationship between circuital current, Cu(II) reduction rate, and cellular electron transfer processes was investigated from a mechanistic point of view using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, linear sweep voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. JY1 and JY5 exhibited a weak correlation between circuital current and Cu(II) reduction. A much stronger correlation was observed for JY3 followed by JY6, demonstrating the relationship between circuital current and Cu(II) reduction for these species. In the presence of electron transfer inhibitors (2,4-dinitrophenol or rotenone), significant inhibition on JY6 activity and a weak effect on JY1, JY3 and JY5 was observed, confirming a strong correlation between cellular electron transfer processes and either Cu(II) reduction or circuital current. This study provides evidence of the diverse functions played by these EAB, and adds to a deeper understanding of the capabilities exerted by diverse EAB associated with Cu(II) reduction

Active case-finding for TB among incarcerated women in Peru

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Intensified degradation and mineralization of antibiotic metronidazole in photo-assisted microbial fuel cells with Mo-W catalytic cathodes under anaerobic or aerobic conditions in the presence of Fe(III)

A novel strategy to intensify the degradation and mineralization of the antibiotic drug metronidazole (MNZ) in water with simultaneous production of renewable electrical energy was achieved in photo-assisted microbial fuel cells (MFCs). In this system Mo and W catalytic species immobilized onto a graphite felt cathode intensified the cathodic reduction of MNZ under anaerobic conditions and the oxidation of MNZ under aerobic conditions. The aerobic oxidation process was further accelerated in the presence of Fe(III), realizing a combined photo-assisted MFCs and Fenton-MFCs process. The highest rates of MNZ degradation (94.5 ± 1.4%; 75.6 ± 1.1 mg/L/h) and mineralization (89.5 ± 1.1%; 71.6 ± 0.9 mg/L/h), and power production (251 mW/m2; 0.015 kWh/m3; 0.22 kWh/kg COD) were achieved at a Mo/W loading of 0.18 mg/cm2 with a Mo/W ratio of 0.17:1.0, in the presence of 10 mg/L of Fe(III) and at an incident photon flux of 23.3 mW/cm2. Photo-generated holes were directly involved into the oxidation of MNZ under anaerobic conditions. Conversely, under aerobic conditions, the photo-generated electrons favored the production of O2[rad]− over [rad]OH, while in the presence of Fe(III), [rad]OH was predominant over O2[rad]−, explaining the intensification of the MNZ mineralization observed. This study demonstrates an alternative and environmentally benign approach for the intensification of the removal of the antibiotic MNZ in water and possibly other contaminants of emerging concern by combining photo-assisted MFCs and Fenton-MFCs in a single process with simultaneous production of renewable electrical energy

BCR-ABL1 doubling-times and halving-times may predict CML response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

In Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), successful treatment requires accurate molecular monitoring to evaluate disease response and provide timely interventions for patients failing to achieve the desired outcomes. We wanted to determine whether measuring BCR-ABL1 mRNA doubling-times (DTs) could distinguish inconsequential rises in the oncogene’s expression from resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Thus, we retrospectively examined BCR-ABL1 evolution in 305 chronic-phase CML patients receiving imatinib mesylate (IM) as a first line treatment. Patients were subdivided in two groups: those with a confirmed rise in BCR-ABL1 transcripts without MR3.0 loss and those failing IM. We found that the DTs of the former patients were significantly longer than those of patients developing IM resistance (57.80 vs. 41.45 days, p = 0.0114). Interestingly, the DT values of individuals failing second-generation (2G) TKIs after developing IM resistance were considerably shorter than those observed at the time of IM failure (27.20 vs. 41.45 days; p = 0.0035). We next wanted to establish if decreases in BCR-ABL1 transcripts would identify subjects likely to obtain deep molecular responses. We therefore analyzed the BCR-ABL1 halving-times (HTs) of a different cohort comprising 174 individuals receiving IM in first line and observed that, regardless of the time point selected for our analyses (6, 12, or 18 months), HTs were significantly shorter in subjects achieving superior molecular responses (p = 0.002 at 6 months; p < 0.001 at 12 months; p = 0.0099 at 18 months). Moreover, 50 patients receiving 2G TKIs as first line therapy and obtaining an MR3.0 (after 6 months; p = 0.003) or an MR4.0 (after 12 months; p = 0.019) displayed significantly shorter HTs than individuals lacking these molecular responses. Our findings suggest that BCR-ABL1 DTs and HTs are reliable tools to, respectively, identify subjects in MR3.0 that are failing their assigned TKI or to recognize patients likely to achieve deep molecular responses that should be considered for treatment discontinuation

Visible Light Induced Oxidation of Trans-ferulic Acid by TiO2 Photocatalysis

The oxidation of trans-ferulic acid (C 10H 10O 4) in aqueous TiO 2 dispersion occurs via the formation of a charge-transfer complex on the TiO 2 surface that is able to absorb visible light (\u3bb 65 400 nm). The main product is CO 2, whereas secondary oxidation products are organic species such as vanillin, caffeic acid, homovanillic acid, and vanillylmandelic acid. Oxidation through the formation of a charge-transfer complex occurs only in the presence of specific TiO 2 samples. Experiments in the absence of oxygen, in the presence of bromate ions and by using a phosphate-modified TiO 2, have been carried out for investigating the reaction mechanism. In order to study the interaction between trans-ferulic acid and TiO 2 surface and to characterize the charge-transfer complex, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance and FT-IR spectroscopies have been used. FT-IR characterization of TiO 2 samples in contact with the aqueous trans-ferulic acid solution indicates that the charge-transfer complex formation occurs via adsorption of bidentate ferulate species

738–2 The Evolution of Therapy for Single Vessel Disease: A Treatment Comparison of Medicine, Angioplasty and Left Internal Mammary Artery Graft for Proximal Left Anterior Descending Disease

Saphenous vein bypass grafting for single vessel disease offers no survival or symptom relief advantage compared to medical therapy. Recent evidence suggests the use of the internal mammary artery or PTCA may be more beneficial than medicine. To examine the outcome of these treatment strategies, a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on 23,018 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac catheterization between April 1986 and February 1994 was performed. Of the 6,432 patients with single vessel disease, 1,222 had a proximal left anterior descending (LAD) stenosis>74% and no prior PTCA or CABG. A total of 289 were managed medically, 760 underwent PTCA, and 172 received a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft.Baseline demographic data and risk factor profiles were similar except for a higher incidence of diabetes (19 vs 15 vs 11%), history of MI (72 vs 58 vs 48%) CHF (18 vs 7 vs 8%), and total occlusions (44 vs 17 vs 7%) and lower incidence of unstable angina (40 vs 61 vs 64%) in the medical group as compared to PTCA and LIMA graft, respectively.Kaplan-Meier 6-year estimates:EventsMedicinePTCALIMAP-value–unadjusted survival (%)7885910.001–adjusted survival (%)8486900.24–event-free survival (%)5443720.0001ConclusionThere is a trend towards improved long-term survival in proximal LAD disease with a strategy of revascularization, particularly the LIMA graft. Furthermore, event-free survival is significantly improved with the LIMA graft as compared to medical therapy or PTCA