Prognostic relevance and putative histogenetic role of cytokeratin 7 and MUC5AC expression in Crohn\u2019s disease-associated small bowel carcinoma

Most Crohn\u2019s disease-associated small bowel carcinomas (CrD-SBCs) are diagnosed in advanced stage and have poor prognosis. To improve diagnosis and therapy, a better knowledge of tumour precancerous lesions, histotypes and prognostic factors is needed. We investigated histologically and immunohistochemically 52 CrD-SBCs and 51 small bowel carcinomas unrelated to inflammatory disease, together with their tumour-associated mucosa, looking for Crohn-selective changes. Histologic patterns and phenotypic markers potentially predictive of CrD-SBC histogenesis and prognosis were analysed. Cytokeratin 7 or MUC5AC-positive metaplastic changes were found in about half of investigated CrD-SBCs, significantly more frequently than in CrD-unrelated SBCs. They correlated with metaplastic changes of their associated mucosa, while being absent in normal ileal mucosa. Histologic patterns suggestive for progression of some cytokeratin 7 and/or MUC5AC-positive metaplastic lesions into cancer of the same phenotype were also observed. Patient survival analyses showed that tumour cytokeratin 7 or MUC5AC expression and non-cohesive histotype were adverse prognostic factors at univariable analysis, while cytokeratin 7 and non-cohesive histotype were also found to predict worse survival in stage- and age-inclusive multivariable analyses. Besides conventional dysplasia, hyperplasia-like non-conventional lesions were observed in CrD-SBC-associated mucosa, with patterns suggestive for a histogenetic link with adjacent cancer. In conclusion the cytokeratin 7 and/or MUC5AC-positive metaplastic foci and the non-conventional growths may have a role in cancer histogenesis, while tumour cytokeratin 7 and non-cohesive histotype may also predict poor patient survival. Present findings are worth being considered in future prospective histogenetic and clinical studies

New entity of adult ultra-short coeliac disease: the first international cohort and case–control study

Background: Ultra-short coeliac disease (USCD) is defined as villous atrophy only present in the duodenal bulb (D1) with concurrent positive coeliac serology. We present the first, multicentre, international study of patients with USCD. Methods: Patients with USCD were identified from 10 tertiary hospitals (6 from Europe, 2 from Asia, 1 from North America and 1 from Australasia) and compared with age-matched and sex-matched patients with conventional coeliac disease. Findings: Patients with USCD (n=137, median age 27 years, IQR 21–43 years; 73% female) were younger than those with conventional coeliac disease (27 vs 38 years, respectively, p<0.001). Immunoglobulin A-tissue transglutaminase (IgA-tTG) titres at index gastroscopy were lower in patients with USCD versus conventional coeliac disease (1.8×upper limit of normal (ULN) (IQR 1.1–5.9) vs 12.6×ULN (IQR 3.3–18.3), p<0.001). Patients: with USCD had the same number of symptoms overall (median 3 (IQR 2–4) vs 3 (IQR 1–4), p=0.875). Patients with USCD experienced less iron deficiency (41.8% vs 22.4%, p=0.006). Both USCD and conventional coeliac disease had the same intraepithelial lymphocytes immunophenotype staining pattern; positive for CD3 and CD8, but not CD4. At follow-up having commenced a gluten-free diet (GFD) (median of 1181 days IQR: 440–2160 days) both USCD and the age-matched and sex-matched controls experienced a similar reduction in IgA-tTG titres (0.5 ULN (IQR 0.2–1.4) vs 0.7 ULN (IQR 0.2–2.6), p=0.312). 95.7% of patients with USCD reported a clinical improvement in their symptoms. Interpretation: Patients with USCD are younger, have a similar symptomatic burden and benefit from a GFD. This study endorses the recommendation of D1 sampling as part of the endoscopic coeliac disease diagnostic workup

Selective recovery of mercury by Procion Brown MX 5BR immobilized poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate/chitosan) composite membranes

ARPA, CIGDEM/0000-0002-2153-0444WOS: 000179692700007Metal chelating membranes have advantages as adsorbents in comparison to conventional microspheres or beads because they are not compressible and they considerably eliminate internal diffusion limitations. The aim of this communication was to explore in detail the performance of Procion Brown MX 5BR immobilized poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate/chitosan) composite membranes, (also called interpenetrating network, IPN, membranes) for removal of three toxic heavy metal ions, namely, Cd(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) from aquatic systems. The composite membranes were characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The incorporated amount of the Procion Brown NIX 5BR was calculated. as 0.036 mumol/cm(2) from the nitrogen and sulphur stoichiometry. The adsorption capacity for selected heavy metal ions from aqueous media containing different amounts of these ions (30-400 mg/L) and at different pH values (2.0-6.0) was investigated. Adsorption capacity of the membranes increased with time during the first 45 min and then levelled off toward the equilibrium adsorption. The maximum amounts of heavy metal ions adsorbed were found as 18.5, 22.7 and 68.8 mg/g for Cd(H), Pb(H) and Hg(H), respectively. Competitive adsorption of the metal ions was also studied. When the metal ions competed, the adsorbed amounts were found as 1.8 mg Cd(II)/g, 2.2 mg Pb(II)/g and 52.6 mg Hg(II)/g. Under competitive conditions, the system showed a very high selectivity for Hg(H) ions. The membrane can be regenerated by washing with a solution of nitric acid (0.01 M). The desorption ratio achieved was as high as 95%. These membranes are suitable for repeated use for more than five adsorption/desorption cycles without any considerable loss in adsorption capacity. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Ca-alginate as a support for Pb(II) and Zn(II) biosorption with immobilized Phanerochaete chrysosporium

ARPA, CIGDEM/0000-0002-2153-0444WOS: 000181006900008The basidio spores of Phanerochaete chryosporium were immobilized in alginate gel beads, and the immobilized spore containing alginate beads were incubated for the growth of fungus. The biosorption of Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions on alginate beads and both immobilized live and heat inactivated fungus was studied from artificial waste waters in the concentrations range of 30-600 mg 1(-1). The surface charge density of the biosorbents varied with the pH of the medium and the maximum biosorption of heavy metal ions on the biosorbents was obtained between pH 5.0 and 6.0. The biosorption of Pb2+ and Zn2+ on the biosorbents increased as the initial concentration of Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions increased in the medium. Biosorption equilibrium was established about 1 h, the adsorbed heavy metal ions did not significantly change further with time. The maximum biosorption capacity (q(m)) of alginate beads and both immobilized live and heat inactivated fungus were 230, 282 and 355 mg for Pb2+ and 30, 37 and 48 mg for Zn per gram of dry biosorbents, respectively. The experimental biosorption equilibrium data for Pb2+, and Zn2+ ions were in good agreement with those calculated by Langmuir model. The affinity order of heavy metal ions was Pb2+ > Zn2+, (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Comparative biosorption of mercuric ions from aquatic systems by immobilized live and heat-inactivated Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus sajur-caju

ARPA, CIGDEM/0000-0002-2153-0444WOS: 000183711000007PubMed: 12699933Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus sajur-caju mycelia immobilized in Ca-alginate beads were used for the removal of mercuric ions from aqueous solutions. The sorption of Hg(II) ions by alginate beads and both immobilized live and heat-killed fungal mycelia of T versicolor and P. sajur-caju was studied in the concentration range of 0.150-3.00 mmol dm(-3). The biosorption of Hg(II) increased as the initial concentration of Hg(II) ions increased in the medium. Maximum biosorption capacities for plain alginate beads were 0.144+/-0.005 mmol Hg(II)/g; for immobilized live and heat-killed fungal mycelia of T versicolor were 0.171+/-0.007 mmol Hg(II)/g and 0.383+/-0.012 mmol Hg(II)/g respectively; whereas for live and heat-killed P. sajur-caju, the values were 0.450+/-0.014 mmol Hg(II)/g and 0.660+/-0.019 mmol Hg(II)/g respectively. Biosorption equilibrium was established in about 1 h and the equilibrium adsorption was well described by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. Between 15 and 45 degreesC the biosorption capacity was not affected and maximum adsorption was observed between pH 4.0 and 6.0. The alginate-fungus beads could be regenerated using 10 mmol dm(-3) HCl solution, with up to 97% recovery. The biosorbents were reused in five biosorption-desorption cycles without a significant loss in biosorption capacity. Heat-killed T versicolor and P. sajur-caju removed 73% and 81% of the Hg(II) ions, respectively, from synthetic wastewater samples. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Biosorption of Hg(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions: Comparison of biosorptive capacity of alginate and immobilized live and heat inactivated Phanerochaete chrysosporium

ARPA, CIGDEM/0000-0002-2153-0444WOS: 000173977500006Basidiospores of P. chryosporium were immobilized into Ca-alginate beads via entrapment, and the beads incubated for vegetation at 30 degreesC for 5 days. The alginate beads and both entrapped live and heat inactivated fungal mycelia of Phanerochaete chryosporium were used for the removal of Hg(II) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution in the concentrations range of 30-500 mg l (-1). The biosorption of Hg(II) and Cd(II) ions by the biosorbents increased as the initial concentration of Hg(II) and Cd(11) ions increased in the medium. A biosorption equilibrium was established in about 1 h and the adsorbed heavy metal ions did not change further with time. The effect of pH was also investigated and the maximum biosorption of Hg(11) and Cd(II) ions on all the tested biosorbents were obtained between pH 5.0 and 6.0. Temperature over the range 15-45 degreesC had no significant effect on the biosorption capacity. The equilibrium was well described by Langmuir and Freundlich biosorption isotherms. The alginate-fungus beads could be regenerated using 10 mM HCl, up to 97% recovery. The biosorbents were reused in three biosorption-desorption cycles with negligible decrease in biosorption capacity. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Evaluation, characterization, and engine performance of complementary fuel blends of butanol–biodiesel–diesel from Aleurites moluccanus as potential alternative fuels for CI engines

Biodiesel has gained worldwide attention due to its renewable aspects. However, it needs more quality improvement. Recently, butanol has been considered as a favorable alternative fuel or additive over methanol and ethanol in compression ignition (CI) engines. In this regard, the present work deals with the evaluation of butanol–diesel–biodiesel blends as potential alternative fuels. In this work, biodiesel has been produced from Aleurites moluccanus oil followed by blending with Euro-diesel and butanol. Important characteristics such as kinematic viscosity, density and cloud point besides FT-IR, UV-vis spectra, TGA, DSC and NMR (13C and 1H) were analyzed. Some important engine and emission performance parameters, such as BP, BSFC, CO, HC, NOx and EGT were also studied in this work. Results revealed that blending butanol and Euro-diesel with biodiesel improves the properties of pure biodiesel such as kinematic viscosity (2.41–3.55 mm2/s) and density (841.8–884.6 kg/m3), while maintaining an acceptable range for cold flow properties that are analogous to Euro-diesel. In addition, reduction in BP (24.65–26.35%), HC (52.57–38.71%), and CO (39.18–30.4%) was observed for all the blends at full load compared to Euro-diesel. However, increases in both BSFC (38.17–41.14%) and NOx (24.18–8.35%) were observed. Overall, the blends appear to be good alternatives to biodiesel–diesel blends. Thus, butanol–biodiesel–diesel blends can be considered as potential sustainable fuels for fossil diesel. © The Author(s) 2018