Simultaneous removal of cadmium and nitrate in aqueous media by nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) and Au doped nZVI particles

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) has demonstrated high efficacy for treating nitrate or cadmium (Cd) contamination, but its efficiency for simultaneous removal of nitrate and Cd has not been investigated. This study evaluated the reactivity of nZVI to the co-contaminants and by-product formation, employed different catalysts to reduce nitrite yield from nitrate, and examined the transformation of nZVI after reaction. Nitrate reduction resulted in high solution pH, negatively charged surface of nZVI, formation of Fe3O4 (a stable transformation of nZVI), and no release of ionic iron. Increased pH and negative charge contributed to significant increase in Cd(II) removal capacity (from 40 mg/g to 188 mg/g) with nitrate present. In addition, nitrate reduction by nZVI could be catalyzed by Cd(II): while 30% of nitrate was reduced by nZVI within 2 h in the absence of Cd(II), complete nitrate reduction was observed in the presence of 40 mg-Cd/L due to the formation of Cd islands (Cd(0) and CdO) on the nZVI particles. While nitrate was reduced mostly to ammonium when Cd(II) was not present or at Cd(II) concentrations ≥ 40 mg/L, up to 20% of the initial nitrate was reduced to nitrite at Cd(II) concentrations < 40 mg/L. Among nZVI particles doped with 1 wt. % Cu, Ag, or Au, nZVI deposited with 1 wt. % Au reduced nitrite yield to less than 3% of the initial nitrate, while maintaining a high Cd(II) removal capacity

Sialendoscopy-based diagnosis and treatment of salivary ductal obstructions.

Salivary gland ductal obstruction is traditionally treated by sialoadenectomy when conservative measures fail. During the last decade, sialendoscopy has become the preferred approach in the management of salivary ductal obstructions. Sialendoscopy can provide direct, accurate and reliable visualisation of the salivary duct lumen and ductal pathologies, and can eliminate pathologies with miniaturised instrumentation. Now, sialendoscopic surgery is a promising option for patients who can be offered a satisfactory clinical outcome while avoiding sialoadenectomy. The present article briefly outlines sialendoscopy-based diagnosis and treatment of salivary ductal obstructions.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Foxp3 expressed by tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells correlates with clinicopathologic features and overall survival in tongue squamous cell carcinoma patients

The forkhead transcription factor, Foxp3, has been identified as a key player in CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) function and a definitive marker of Tregs. Recently, it was reported that Foxp3 could be expressed by tumor cells themselves. The present study was to investigate the expression of Foxp3 in tongue squamous cells carcinoma (TSCC) cells and its clinical significance. In this study, the expression of Foxp3 by TSCC cells was demonstrated in TSCC tissue samples and three TSCC cell lines using immunohistochemical staining, realtime-PCR and Western blotting, and its clinical significance were statistically analyzed. The immunohistochemical assay in TSCC paraffin-embedded samples showed positive staining in 48 of 81 (59.3%) cases. The expression was significantly associated with pathologic differentiation (P = 0.040) and T stage (P = 0.000), and furthermore, inversely associate with patient survival (P = 0.021). Multivariate analysis (Cox regression) suggested that Foxp3 expression in TSCC cells was an independent prognostic indicator for TSCC (P = 0.032). © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Inhibition of autophagy enhances cisplatin cytotoxicity in human adenoid cystic carcinoma cells of salivary glands

Background: The relationship between autophagy and chemotherapy in cancer has been studied a lot recent years. However, there is currently no study on the role of autophagy in chemotherapy of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of human salivary glands. We hypothesized that autophagy plays a protective role for human salivary gland ACC cells during chemotherapy, diminishes the effect of treatment, and ultimately results in poor sensitivity to chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: After inhibition of autophagy by 5 mM 3-methyladenine (3MA), 20 μM Chloroquine (CQ), or Beclin-1 shRNA, we examined the sensitivity of human salivary gland ACC cells to different concentrations of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) using MTT assay. Also, levels of autophagy in ACC cells treated by CDDP were assessed by western blot, GFP-LC3 fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Inhibition of autophagy induced by 3MA, CQ, or Beclin-1 shRNA could all enhance human salivary gland ACC cell death treated by CDDP. And, levels of autophagy in these cells showed a significant increase after treated by CDDP. Conclusion: Autophagy played a protective role for human salivary gland ACC cells during CDDP chemotherapy. Inhibition of autophagy in these cells could enhance cisplatin cytotoxicity-effects. These findings indicate a novel and promising way to reduce chemotherapy resistance and improve treatment outcome in human salivary gland ACC. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Research on Deformation Analysis and Rehabilitation for a Beam–Arch Combination Bridge Suffering an Extreme Temperature Field

In situ monitoring was conducted throughout the construction period to investigate the abnormal deformation of a bridge under construction subjected to sudden cooling by Typhoon Lekima. An FE model considering the temperature field based on measurement data was also established to reveal the exact causes of the bridge’s abnormal deformation and provide theoretical guidance for rehabilitation measures. The FE model simulation and measurement results showed that (1) the exact cause of the abnormal deformation of the bridge was the inconsistency of the temperature field between the top and bottom plates, and the sudden approach of the typhoon aggravated the inconsistency; (2) the abnormal deformation of the construction bridge caused by the typhoon could be addressed with rehabilitation before forming the bridge; (3) an extreme temperature field should be considered in the design of a beam–arch combination bridge. These results can provide a reference for the design and construction of similar bridges

Research on the Application of Multi-Source Data Analysis for Bridge Safety Monitoring in the Reconstruction and Demolition Process

With the increase of bridge-required demolition/dismantling for reconstruction or modification, the early warning of construction emergencies is greatly needed for monitoring the structural safety of bridges under construction. In this paper, based on the multi-source data of nearby construction and demolition construction of a large-span RC arch bridge in China, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method is adopted to analyze the multi-source data and set the early warning threshold for bridge safety in construction. According to the analytical results, a reasonable evaluation of AHP factors can improve the accuracy and timeliness of safety early warning in the structural safety monitoring of bridges during the construction process. The weight of the monitoring data in AHP should be assigned according to its reliability, stability, and importance. Bridge safety assessment of nearby construction having harmful vibration should prioritize dynamic bridge monitoring by cooperating with multi-source data, including stress, and deformation monitoring of the bridge is necessary. The assessment results proved that multi-source data, including but not limited to structural stress and deformation monitoring data, vibration data, theoretical prediction data, environment data such as temperature data, and construction/maintenance history data, are necessary for safety monitoring and early warning of construction with specifications related to bridge construction. The early warnings triggered by the evaluation results successfully ensure the safety status of the bridge during nearby construction and demolition construction, which shows the proposed method can provide a guideline for comprehensively evaluating and early warning of the status of bridge construction

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells contribute to oral cancer progression in 4NQO-treated mice

Objective: Abnormal myelopoiesis especially the expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) is increasingly recognized as an important reason for the escape of tumor from immune surveillance. This study aims to investigate the role of this specific population of cells in oral cancer progression. Materials and Methods: 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) was used to induce oral cancer in C57BL/6 mice. The tongue mucosa was examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The distribution of MDSCs in the spleen and peripheral blood and T cell subsets in the spleen was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of MDSCs in the tongue tissues was investigated by immunohistochemical staining, and the expression of arginase-1 (ARG-1) and NOS-2 in the tongue tissues was detected by real-time PCR. Results: We found that during tumor progression, significantly increased frequency of MDSCs was observed in the spleens and peripheral blood of 4NQO-treated mice, and the frequency of MDSCs in the spleens was positively correlated with systemic CD3 +CD8 + T cells. Moreover, 4NQO-treated mice showed significantly higher MDSCs infiltration and ARG-1 mRNA level in the tumor site. Conclusions: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells contribute to oral tumor progression and represent a potential target for immunotherapy of oral cancer. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Sialoendoscopic Secondary Intervention After Failure of Open Sialolithectomy

Purpose: Traditionally, sialoadenectomy was always indicated when open sialolithectomy failed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of sialoendoscopy as the secondary intervention after failure of open sialolithectomy. Patients and Methods: A consecutive series of 15 patients with obstructive salivary gland disease with failure of open sialolithectomy were prospectively recruited for our study. All these patients underwent sialoendoscopy under local anesthesia. The reasons for the failure of open sialolithectomy were analyzed, and secondary interventions were performed using sialoendoscopy. Results: Failure of open sialolithectomy resulted from 4 main causes. Small stones could not be found after the duct was incised (n = 3); the stones were pushed posteriorly during open surgery (n = 4); the stones located in the anterior part of the duct were removed, but the hilar stones were left untouched (n = 5); and radiolucent stones were missed (n = 3). All the patients were treated successfully by sialoendoscopy. No symptoms or signs of recurrence developed during a median follow-up period of 16 months. Conclusions: Sialoendoscopy can be recommended as an effective secondary intervention after failure of open sialolithectomy. © 2010 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Mandibular reconstruction assisted by preoperative simulation and accurate transferring templates: Preliminary report of clinical application

Purpose: This study investigated the application of a computer-aided design and manufacturing technique of defining tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning by surgical templates in mandibular reconstructive surgery. Materials and Methods: Four patients who required mandibulectomy and simultaneous reconstruction were enrolled in this study. Preoperative surgical simulation was performed. The surgical templates that defined tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning were designed and fabricated. Results: The surgeries were performed to the preoperative plan. All flaps survived. Superimposition of the postoperative image and the preoperative plan showed a satisfactory surgical accuracy. Conclusions: This method of defining tumor resection, fibula cutting, and positioning by surgical templates was accurate enough for mandibular reconstructive surgery. © 2013 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Clinical and pathologic characteristics and surgical management of benign fibrous histiocytoma of the mandible: A case report

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