Effects of Acetate on Cation Exchange Capacity of a Zn-Containing Montmorillonite:Physicochemical Significance and Metal Uptake

Fundamental properties such as cation exchange capacity (CEC), permanent charge, pH(PZC), and metal uptake of a Zn-containing montmorillonite are modified, in a predictable manner, by a mild chemical treatment using acetate. Acetate treatment allows a controllable increase of the CEC of montmorillonite up to 180 mequiv/100 g. The CEC of the clay is increasing for decreasing Zn content, with a slope of Delta[Zn/Delta[CEC] approximate to -2. X-ray powder diffraction analysis shows that the lamellar structure of the clay remains unaltered by the acetate treatment, while XPS substantiates the removal of Zn. H(+) uptake data show that the intrinsic protonation pK values and concentration of the variable charge sites ( SOH) are not modified by the acetate treatment. In contrast, the concentration of the permanent charge sites ( X(-)) increased linearly with Zn removal by acetate, leading to a significant H(+) and Cd(2+) uptake enhancement. A physical model is suggested where acetate removes Zn ions strongly bound in the clay, and this in turn modulates the permanent charge and the CEC of the clay

Utilization of mechanical power and associations with clinical outcomes in brain injured patients. a secondary analysis of the extubation strategies in neuro-intensive care unit patients and associations with outcome (ENIO) trial

BackgroundThere is insufficient evidence to guide ventilatory targets in acute brain injury (ABI). Recent studies have shown associations between mechanical power (MP) and mortality in critical care populations. We aimed to describe MP in ventilated patients with ABI, and evaluate associations between MP and clinical outcomes.MethodsIn this preplanned, secondary analysis of a prospective, multi-center, observational cohort study (ENIO, NCT03400904), we included adult patients with ABI (Glasgow Coma Scale <= 12 before intubation) who required mechanical ventilation (MV) >= 24 h. Using multivariable log binomial regressions, we separately assessed associations between MP on hospital day (HD)1, HD3, HD7 and clinical outcomes: hospital mortality, need for reintubation, tracheostomy placement, and development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).ResultsWe included 1217 patients (mean age 51.2 years [SD 18.1], 66% male, mean body mass index [BMI] 26.3 [SD 5.18]) hospitalized at 62 intensive care units in 18 countries. Hospital mortality was 11% (n = 139), 44% (n = 536) were extubated by HD7 of which 20% (107/536) required reintubation, 28% (n = 340) underwent tracheostomy placement, and 9% (n = 114) developed ARDS. The median MP on HD1, HD3, and HD7 was 11.9 J/min [IQR 9.2-15.1], 13 J/min [IQR 10-17], and 14 J/min [IQR 11-20], respectively. MP was overall higher in patients with ARDS, especially those with higher ARDS severity. After controlling for same-day pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F ratio), BMI, and neurological severity, MP at HD1, HD3, and HD7 was independently associated with hospital mortality, reintubation and tracheostomy placement. The adjusted relative risk (aRR) was greater at higher MP, and strongest for: mortality on HD1 (compared to the HD1 median MP 11.9 J/min, aRR at 17 J/min was 1.22, 95% CI 1.14-1.30) and HD3 (1.38, 95% CI 1.23-1.53), reintubation on HD1 (1.64; 95% CI 1.57-1.72), and tracheostomy on HD7 (1.53; 95%CI 1.18-1.99). MP was associated with the development of moderate-severe ARDS on HD1 (2.07; 95% CI 1.56-2.78) and HD3 (1.76; 95% CI 1.41-2.22).ConclusionsExposure to high MP during the first week of MV is associated with poor clinical outcomes in ABI, independent of P/F ratio and neurological severity. Potential benefits of optimizing ventilator settings to limit MP warrant further investigation

A link between <em>ReIB</em> expression and tumor progression in laryngeal cancer.

Laryngeal cancer is a frequent malignancy originating from the squamous vocal epithelium in a multi-stage fashion in response to environmental carcinogens. Although most cases can be cured by surgery and/or radiotherapy, advanced and relapsing disease is common, and biomarkers of such dismal cases are urgently needed. The cancer genome of laryngeal cancers was recently shown to feature a signature of aberrant nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B activation, but this finding has not been clinically exploited. We analyzed primary tumor samples of 96 well-documented and longitudinally followed patients covering the whole spectrum of laryngeal neoplasia, including 21 patients with benign laryngeal diseases, 15 patients with dysplasia, 43 patients with early-stage carcinoma, and 17 patients with locally advanced carcinoma, for immunoreactivity of RelA, RelB, P50, and P52/P100, the main NF-kappa B subunits that activate transcription. Results were cross-examined with indices of tumor progression and survival. Interestingly, RelB expression increased with tumor stage, grade, and local extent. Moreover, patients displaying high RelB immunoreactivity exhibited statistically significantly poorer survival compared with patients featuring low levels of RelB expression (P = 0.018 by log-rank test). Using Cox regression analyses and tumor stage, local extent, grade and RelA/RelB immunoreactivity, we develop a new score that can independently predict survival of patients with laryngeal cancer. Hence we provide a simple and affordable NF-kappa B-based test to predict prognosis in laryngeal cancer

Der Einfluss des Zigaretten- und Alkoholkonsums auf das Tumorstadium von Larynxkarzinomen bei Diagnoseerstellung

Einleitung: Mehrere Studien haben ein dosisabhängiges Risiko zur Entstehung eines Larynxkarzinoms durch Rauchen und Alkohol demonstriert. Der Einfluss des Tabak- und Alkoholkonsums auf das Stadium des Larynxkarzinoms zum Zeitpunkt der Diagnosestellung wurde jedoch bisher nur wenig untersucht.Methoden: Die Daten von 380 Patienten mit einem Plattenepithelkarzinom des Larynx wurden retrospektiv analysiert. Untersucht wurden der Konsum von Zigaretten (pack years in 5 Kategorien) und Alkohol (mg/Tag in 4 Kategorien), sowie das TNM-Stadium bei Diagnosestellung. Die relativen Häufigkeiten eines fortgeschrittenen Tumors (Stadium III oder IV) wurden zwischen den Patienten in den verschiedenen Noxenexpositions-Kategorien mit dem chi²-Test verglichen.Ergebnisse: Mit steigendem Zigarettenkonsum nahm die relative Häufigkeit eines bei Diagnosestellung fortgeschrittenen Karzinoms signifikant zu. Gleiches wurde für den Alkoholkonsum beobachtet.Schlussfolgerungen: Schwerer Tabak- und Alkoholkonsum erhöhen das Risiko eines fortgeschrittenen Larynxkarzinoms bei Diagnosestellung. Dieser Sachverhalt unterstreicht die Notwendigkeit von Prävention und gesundheitlicher Aufklärung in der Bevölkerung

Neurotoxicity of BFM-95 on the medial olivocochlear bundle assessed by means of contralateral suppression of 2f1-f2 distortion product otoacoustic emissions

OBJECTIVE: Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster 95 (BFM-95) is a common chemotherapeutic protocol against acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This prospective study investigates whether this protocol has an adverse effect on the medial olivocochlear bundle (MOCB) and/or outer hair cells&apos; (OHCs) function. The distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and their suppression by means of contralateral application of white noise were used for assessing the function of OHCs and the MOCB, respectively. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Oncology and otorhinolaryngology departments in a pediatric hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-six children treated with ALL-BFM-95. INTERVENTIONS: Before chemotherapy, a baseline audiologic evaluation with tympanogram, standard and extended high frequency, pure-tone audiometry, and DPOAEs in the absence and presence of white noise was performed in all children. This population was divided in three groups. In a first group (n = 12), the evaluation was repeated after four sessions of vincristine administration; in the second group (n = 12), after 8 sessions; and in the third group (n = 12), several months after completion of the protocol. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: DPOAEs suppression by contralateral application of white noise. RESULTS: In the first and the third groups, we observed no changes in DPOAE amplitudes. Nevertheless, in the second group, the DPOAEs demonstrated significant decrease at 1416, 1685, 2002, and 2380 Hz. At baseline examination, all groups presented significant suppression at all frequencies. After eight vincristine sessions, instead of suppression, an increase of amplitudes was noted at 5 of 12 frequencies. Efferent-mediated DPOAE suppression reappeared in the third group at all frequencies (significant at 5 of 12 frequencies). CONCLUSION: ALL-BFM-95 seems to exert an early and reversible toxic effect on the MOCB, whereas its effects on OHCs are minimal and reversible. These minimal cochleotoxic and neurotoxic properties of ALL-BFM-95 might prove useful for research studies on the role of efferent innervation in hearing. © 2007 Otology &amp; Neurotology, Inc

Surface decoration of carbon nanosheets with amino-functionalized organosilica nanoparticles

Carbonaceous nanosheets decorated with amino-functionalized organosilica nanoparticles have been synthesized by a direct pyrolysis of betaine at 400 °C in air, followed by a simple surface treatment with ([3-(2- aminoethylamino) propyl]trimethoxysilane under reflux conditions. Both pristine and organosilica modified carbon nanosheets (OMCNs), were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Raman, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies, transmission electron microscopy and thermal analysis methods. The experimental data reveal a dramatic increase in the number of radical centers on the surface of the developed OMCN hybrid. The organosilica nanoparticles, ranging in size between 3 and 15 nm, are spherical and homogenously anchored on the surface of carbon nanosheets. The formation of COSi bridges between carbon sheets and the organosilica nanoparticles has been supported by FTIR and EPR. These nanoparticles are bound to the nanosheet surface together with individual functional organosilane groups at a spacing of about 4 distance. The final hybrid is the complex nanosystem composed of 2D carbon nanosheets, spherical organosilica nanoparticles and immobilized amino organosilane molecules. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved