Ipilimumab or FOLFOX in Combination With Nivolumab and Trastuzumab in HER2 Positive EsophagoGastric Adenocarcinoma

Conditions:   Gastric Cancer;   Esophageal Cancer;   Adenocarcinoma Gastric;   HER2 Positive Gastric Cancer;   Metastatic Gastric Cancer;   GastroEsophageal Cancer
Interventions:   Drug: Nivolumab;   Drug: Ipilimumab
Sponsors:   AIO-Studien-gGmbH;   Bristol-Myers Squibb
Not yet recruiting

http://ift.tt/2G8Idku

Effect of the Neck Extension on Blind Intubation Via Ambu® AuraGain™

Conditions:   Intubation; Difficult or Failed;   Intubation Complication
Interventions:   Device: Ambu® AuraGain™;   Procedure: neck extension
Sponsor:   Seoul National University Hospital
Not yet recruiting

http://ift.tt/2rzTcjF

A Dose Escalation and Confirmation Study of PT-112 in Advanced Solid Tumors in Combination With Avelumab

Conditions:   Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC);   Urothelial Carcinoma (UC);   Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck (SCCHN);   Metastatic Breast Cancer (mBC);   Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)
Interventions:   Drug: PT-112;   Biological: avelumab
Sponsors:   Phosplatin Therapeutics;   Pfizer;   EMD Serono
Not yet recruiting

http://ift.tt/2G9Mcxj

TH17 cell plasticity: The role of dendritic cells and molecular mechanisms

Publication date: Available online 19 January 2018
Source:Journal of Autoimmunity
Author(s): Theodora Agalioti, Eduardo J. Villablanca, Samuel Huber, Nicola Gagliani
Upon interaction with dendritic cells (DCs), naïve CD4 T cells differentiate into distinct subsets and orchestrate the development of a physiological immune response. When uncontrolled by cellular and molecular mechanisms, CD4 T cells can also lead to immune mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). Initially, these distinct CD4 T-cell subsets were defined according to the expression of a limited number of cytokines. Later it was revealed that CD4 T cells can acquire much more complex functional phenotypes than previously thought. Experimental data showed that the CD4 T-cell subset TH17 can secrete IFN-γ and IL-4, which are signature molecules of other T-cell subsets. Furthermore, some TH17 cells can also explore an anti-inflammatory fate and participate in the resolution of the immune response. A more flexible theory has therefore evolved with the scope to better represent the plastic biology of CD4 T cells. In this context, several aspects still remain unclear. The goal of this review is to discuss the role of extrinsic and intrinsic cellular and molecular mechanisms, which can drive the plasticity of TH17 cells. In particular, we will outline the role of DCs and the function of transcriptional factors in shaping the fate of TH17 cells towards either a pathogenic or a regulatory phenotype. Finally, we will discuss whether TH17 cell plasticity could be a target for new therapies for IMIDs. We indeed envision that when the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling TH17 plasticity are known, new therapies, which aim to reset the immune system, will be developed. This will be achieved by either selectively depleting only the pathogenic TH17 cells or, if possible, re converting these cells from pathogenic to regulatory. This will overcome the challenge posed by the immune suppressive side effects caused by the current therapies, which impair the function of CD4 cells or delete all of them, to the detriment of the patient.



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Current concerns and perspectives on Zika virus co-infection with arboviruses and HIV

Publication date: Available online 17 January 2018
Source:Journal of Autoimmunity
Author(s): Hussin A. Rothan, Mehdi R.M. Bidokhti, Siddappa N. Byrareddy
Dissemination of vector-borne viruses, such as Zika virus (ZIKV), in tropical and sub-tropical regions has a complicated impact on the immunopathogenesis of other endemic viruses such as dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The consequences of the possible co-infections with these viruses have specifically shown significant impact on the treatment and vaccination strategies. ZIKV is a mosquito-borne flavivirus from African and Asian lineages that causes neurological complications in infected humans. Many of DENV and CHIKV endemic regions have been experiencing outbreaks of ZIKV infection. Intriguingly, the mosquitoes, Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus, can simultaneously transmit all the combinations of ZIKV, DENV, and CHIKV to the humans. The co-circulation of these viruses leads to a complicated immune response due to the pre-existence or co-existence of ZIKV infection with DENV and CHIKV infections. The non-vector transmission of ZIKV, especially, via sexual intercourse and placenta represents an additional burden that may hander the treatment strategies of other sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV. Collectively, ZIKV co-circulation and co-infection with other viruses have inevitable impact on the host immune response, diagnosis techniques, and vaccine development strategies for the control of these co-infections.



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Expression level of risk genes of MHC class II is a susceptibility factor for autoimmunity: New insights

Publication date: Available online 10 January 2018
Source:Journal of Autoimmunity
Author(s): Carmen Gianfran, Laura Pisapia, Stefania Picascia, Maria Strazzullo, Giovanna Del Pozzo
To date, the study of the impact of major hystocompatibility complex on autoimmunity has been prevalently focused on structural diversity of MHC molecules in binding and presentation of (auto)antigens to cognate T cells. Recently, a number of experimental evidences suggested new points of view to investigate the complex relationships between MHC gene expression and the individual predisposition to autoimmune diseases. Irrespective of the nature of the antigen, a threshold of MHC-peptide complexes needs to be reached, as well as a threshold of T cell receptors engaged is required, for the activation and proliferation of autoantigen-reactive T cells. Moreover, it is well known that increased expression of MHC class II molecules may alter the T cell receptor repertoire during thymic development, and affect the survival and expansion of mature T cells. Many evidences confirmed that the level of both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation are involved in the modulation of the expression of MHC class II genes and that both contribute to the predisposition to autoimmune diseases. Here, we aim to focus some of these regulative aspects to better clarify the role of MHC class II genes in predisposition and development of autoimmunity.



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Serum microRNA screening and functional studies reveal miR-483-5p as a potential driver of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2018
Source:Journal of Autoimmunity
Author(s): Eleni Chouri, Nila H. Servaas, Cornelis P.J. Bekker, Alsya J. Affandi, Marta Cossu, Maarten R. Hillen, Chiara Angiolilli, Jorre S. Mertens, Lucas L. van den Hoogen, Sandra Silva-Cardoso, Maarten van der Kroef, Nadia Vazirpanah, Catharina G.K. Wichers, Tiago Carvalheiro, Sofie L.M. Blokland, Barbara Giovannone, Laura Porretti, Wioleta Marut, Barbara Vigone, Joel A.G. van Roon, Lorenzo Beretta, Marzia Rossato, Timothy R.D.J. Radstake
ObjectiveMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory molecules, which have been addressed as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in rheumatic diseases. Here, we investigated the miRNA signature in the serum of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients and we further assessed their expression in early stages of the disease.MethodsThe levels of 758 miRNAs were evaluated in the serum of 26 SSc patients as compared to 9 healthy controls by using an Openarray platform. Three miRNAs were examined in an additional cohort of 107 SSc patients and 24 healthy donors by single qPCR. MiR-483-5p expression was further analysed in the serum of patients with localized scleroderma (LoS) (n = 22), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (n = 33) and primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) (n = 23). The function of miR-483-5p was examined by transfecting miR-483-5p into primary human dermal fibroblasts and pulmonary endothelial cells.Results30 miRNAs were significantly increased in patients with SSc. Of these, miR-483-5p showed reproducibly higher levels in an independent SSc cohort and was also elevated in patients with preclinical-SSc symptoms (early SSc). Notably, miR-483-5p was not differentially expressed in patients with SLE or pSS, whereas it was up-regulated in LoS, indicating that this miRNA could be involved in the development of skin fibrosis. Consistently, miR-483-5p overexpression in fibroblasts and endothelial cells modulated the expression of fibrosis-related genes.ConclusionsOur findings showed that miR-483-5p is up-regulated in the serum of SSc patients, from the early stages of the disease onwards, and indicated its potential function as a fine regulator of fibrosis in SSc.



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Application of Strict Criteria for Noninvasive Follicular Thyroid Neoplasm with Papillary-Like Nuclear Features and Encapsulated Follicular Variant Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: a Retrospective Study of 50 Tumors Previously Diagnosed as Follicular Variant PTC

Abstract

Noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) was recently proposed as a designation for a subset of follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC). Encapsulated FVPTC has been shown to be a fairly indolent tumor, and NIFTP are expected to represent the most indolent subset of these tumors. Many of the exclusion criteria for NIFTP related to architecture and a lack of psammoma bodies are designed to preclude the inclusion of more aggressive non-FVPTC tumors in this indolent group and also exclude the diagnosis of FVPTC. In addition to strict application of histologic features to ensure that NIFTP represents a subset of encapsulated FVPTC without invasion, other exclusion criteria including high mitotic activity and necrosis may also lead to a lack of one-to-one correlation between the diagnosis of NIFTP and encapsulated FVPTC without invasion. In this series, 50 cases previously diagnosed as FVPTC over a 2-year period from a large academic center are retrospectively reviewed for reclassification as NIFTP. Additionally, cases not meeting criteria for NIFTP are more accurately classified using the most up to date WHO criteria. Prior BRAF V600E mutation testing was examined for these tumors when available. Seventeen of 50 (34%) tumors met criteria for classification as NIFTP and, 17 (34%) were classified as encapsulated FVPTC with invasion. Strict application of architectural features led to classification of 12 (24%) tumors as non-FVPTC with a variety of more aggressive designations. Tumors classified as NIFTP and encapsulated FVPTC with invasion lacked lymph node metastases (0/4; 0/7, respectively) and BRAF mutations (0/12; 0/13, respectively). In contrast, infiltrative FVPTC, encapsulated PTC with or without invasion, and conventional PTC showed more aggressive features with lymph node metastases and BRAF V600E mutations. One case not meeting criteria for NIFTP maintained the diagnosis of encapsulated FVPTC without invasion but demonstrated significant mitotic activity (three mitoses/ten HPF) and lacked lymph node metastases and BRAF V600E mutation. These findings demonstrate the importance of using strict criteria, especially the lack of true papillary architecture, for the diagnosis of NIFTP and encapsulated FVPTC to ensure that only truly indolent tumors will be included in these diagnoses and to allow tumors with potential for more aggressive behavior to be appropriately treated.

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Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and 3 years after delivery in women with gestational hyperglycemia

Abstract

Aims

Women with gestational hyperglycemia commonly experience hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. More information is needed about how hypertension develops in these patients over time. We investigated the prevalence of hypertension during and 3 years after pregnancy in Caucasian women with gestational hyperglycemia. We also investigated metabolic syndrome presence, glucose tolerance status, insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion levels in the follow-up period.

Methods

In a prospective longitudinal study with a 3-year follow-up, we assessed hypertension status and clinical-related characteristics of 103 consecutive women with gestational hyperglycemia sub-grouped according to their hypertensive status during and after pregnancy.

Results

Overall, 29 (28.1%) women had hypertension during pregnancy (24 gestational hypertension; 4 chronic hypertension; 1 preeclampsia). At follow-up 16 (15.5%) women were diagnosed as having hypertension (11 with hypertension in pregnancy; 5 with a normotensive pregnancy). Women with hypertension after pregnancy had higher BMI, metabolic syndrome rate and worse insulin resistance indexes than normotensive women. Weight increase at follow-up (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.00–1.35) and hypertension in pregnancy (OR 6.72, 95% CI 1.17–38.64) were associated with hypertension after pregnancy.

Conclusions

Women with gestational hyperglycemia should undergo regular monitoring during and after pregnancy to detect metabolic and clinical impairments and to prevent cardiovascular harm.

http://ift.tt/2n5Sh60

State of Plastic Surgery in Brazil

No abstract available

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Combining Autologous and Prosthetic Techniques: The Breast Reconstruction Scale Principle

Background: The latissimus dorsi (LD) flap remains a good option for immediate or delayed breast reconstruction. The main limitation of this flap is the small volume provided. To improve the reconstructed breast volume, the LD flap is usually combined with a breast implant. Recently, fat grafting to the LD flap was described to maximize flap volume and obtain a totally autologous breast reconstruction. We report our experience with hybrid breast reconstruction using both breast implants and fat-enriched latissimus dorsi (FELD) flaps. Methods: Between 2013 and 2016, 74 patients underwent breast reconstruction with FELD flaps only or FELD flaps combined with a breast implant. The LD flap was harvested as previously described. Donor sites for fat harvesting were chosen according to each patient's natural fat distribution. Fat was harvested, centrifuged, and injected into the LD flap. After fat grafting, breast sizers were employed to determine the final breast volume when the addition of an implant was indicated. Results: Good cosmetic outcomes were achieved in all cases, with a mean follow-up of 2.1 years. No patients had cancer reoccurrences. Four patients experienced a seroma of the LD donor site, 1 had a breast hematoma, and 1 developed Baker grade III capsular contracture. One year postoperatively, a clinically relevant area of fat necrosis was observed in 1 patient and was surgically treated. Additional fat grafting sessions were required in 3 cases. Conclusion: In elected cases, a FELD flap alone or in combination with a small implant is a valuable technique for breast reconstruction surgery.

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Effect of low-level laser therapy on the healing process of donor site in patients with grade 3 burn ulcer after skin graft surgery (a randomized clinical trial)

Abstract

Skin graft is a standard therapeutic technique in patients with deep ulcers, but managing donor site after grafting is very important. Although several modern dressings are available to enhance the comfort of donor site, using techniques that accelerate wound healing may enhance patient satisfaction. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been used in several medical fields, including healing of diabetic, surgical, and pressure ulcers, but there is not any report of using this method for healing of donor site in burn patients. The protocols and informed consent were reviewed according to Medical Ethics Board of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (IR.SBMU.REC.1394.363) and Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT2016020226069N2). Eighteen donor sites in 11 patients with grade 3 burn ulcer were selected. Donor areas were divided into 2 parts, for laser irradiation and control randomly. Laser area was irradiated by a red, 655-nm laser light, 150 mW, 2 J/cm², on days 0 (immediately after surgery), 3, 5, and 7. Dressing and other therapeutic care for both sites were the same. The patients and the person who analyzed the results were blinded. The size of donor site reduced in both groups during the 7-day study period (P < 0.01) and this reduction was significantly greater in the laser group (P = 0.01). In the present study, for the first time, we evaluate the effects of LLLT on the healing process of donor site in burn patients. The results showed that local irradiation of red laser accelerates wound healing process significantly.

http://ift.tt/2n6oxWx

Sinomenine inhibits fibroblast-like synoviocyte proliferation by regulating α7nAChR expression via ERK/Egr-1 pathway

Publication date: March 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 56
Author(s): Lang Yi, Yan-jun Lyn, Chong Peng, Rui-li Zhu, Sha-sha Bai, Liang Liu, Pei-xun Wang, Hua Zhou, Yan Dong
Fibroblast like synoviocyte (FLS) is a crucial in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and involved in inflammation and joint destruction. Sinomenine (SIN), an alkaloid derived from the plant Sinomenium acutum, has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect and been used for RA treatment in China. Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChR), as the key receptor in cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) to inhibit inflammation, has been detected in RA patients synovium, but its role is still unclear. Here we investigated the association between the aggressive proliferation of FLS and α7nAChR expression and the effect of sinomenine. FLS was isolated from synovial tissues of adjuvant-induced-arthritis (AIA) rat. Tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α was used to induce the aggressive proliferation of FLS. MTT assay was applied to evaluate the proliferation of FLS. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of α7nAChR and early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1) were measured. The results showed that TNF-α induced FLS proliferation in vitro (P < .01) and increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and the expression of Egr-1 and α7nAChR (P < .05 or P < .01). U0126, the inhibitor of ERK1/2 inhibited α7nAChR expression and FLS proliferation significantly (P < .05 or P < .01). Specific short interference RNA(siRNA) of α7nAChR decreased α7nAChR expression and inhibited FLS proliferation as well. SIN inhibited the proliferation of FLS and decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and the expression of Egr-1 and α7nAChR induced by TNF-α (P < .05). In conclusion, the expression of α7nAChR involved in the aggressive proliferation of FLS induced by TNF-α and was regulated by ERK/Egr-1 signal pathway. SIN inhibited FLS proliferation and α7nAChR expression through inhibiting ERK/Egr-1 signal pathway, this may contribute to the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effect of SIN.



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Cortisol inhibits NF-κB and MAPK pathways in LPS activated bovine endometrial epithelial cells

Publication date: March 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 56
Author(s): Junsheng Dong, Yang Qu, Jianji Li, Luying Cui, Yefan Wang, Jiaqi Lin, Heng Wang
The bovine uterus is subject to infection after calving, which may lead to endometritis. Elevated cortisol levels have been observed in postpartum cattle. However, the role of cortisol in the inflammatory response of the uterus has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of cortisol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced primary bovine endometrial epithelial cells (BEECs). BEECs were treated with various concentrations of cortisol (5, 15 and 30 ng/mL) in the presence of LPS. The mRNA expression of TLR4 and proinflammatory cytokines was measured with qPCR. The activation of NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways was detected with Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Cortisol induced the down-regulation of the mRNA expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumour necrosis factor–α (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS). Cortisol inhibited the activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) via blocking the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB. Cortisol suppressed the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), p38MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase (JNK). These results demonstrated that cortisol may exert its anti-inflammatory actions by regulating NF-κB activation and MAPK phosphorylation.



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Chrysophanol demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties in LPS-primed RAW 264.7 macrophages through activating PPAR-γ

Publication date: March 2018
Source:International Immunopharmacology, Volume 56
Author(s): Quan Wen, Liyan Mei, Sen Ye, Xia Liu, Qin Xu, Jifei Miao, Shaohui Du, Dongfeng Chen, Chun Li, Hui Li
Sepsis is a life-threatening disease. Inflammation is a major concomitant symptom of sepsis Chrysophanol, an anthraquinone derivative isolated from the rhizomes of rheumpalmatum, has been reported to have a protective effect against lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. The aim of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of chrysophanol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced anti-inflammatory effect of RAW264.7 cells and its involved potential mechanism. The mRNA and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and PPAR-γ were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting, the production of TNF-α, IL-1β was evaluated by ELISA. Then, the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 was also detected by western blotting. And NF-κB p65 promoter activity was analyzed by the Dual-Luciferase reporter assay system as well. Meanwhile, PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662 was performed to knockdown PPAR-γ expression in cells. Our data revealed that LPS induced the up-regulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, iNOS and NF-κB p65, the down-regulation of PPAR-γ were substantially suppressed by chrysophanol in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, our data also figured out that these effects of chrysophanol were largely abrogated by PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662. Taken together, our results indicated that LPS-induced inflammation was potently compromised by chrysophanol very likely through the PPAR-γ-dependent inactivation of NF-κB in RAW264.7 cells.



http://ift.tt/2DzEL4D

Heavy Water Shedding Light on Antigen-Specific T Cell Responses

Publication date: Available online 24 January 2018
Source:Trends in Immunology
Author(s): Liv Eidsmo, Carmen Gerlach
CD8 T cells are crucial for long-term immunity. Nevertheless, the in vivo differentiation of human naïve CD8 T cells into effector and memory populations remains ill-defined. A recent study assesses the in vivo turnover of human antigen-specific CD8 T cells and suggests that long-lived memory cells arise from effector cells.



http://ift.tt/2DGUe2i

Advanced treatment of petrochemical wastewater by combined ozonation and biological aerated filter

Abstract

The secondary effluent from a petrochemical wastewater treatment plant was treated by biological aerated filter (BAF) before and after ozonation, namely BAF1 and BAF2, respectively. The results showed that BAF2 fed with the ozonized secondary effluent exhibited a high efficiency in degrading organic pollutants. The removal efficiency of COD and NH₄-N was 6.0 ± 3.2 and 48.2~18.6% for BAF1 and 12.5 ± 5.8 and 62.1~40.9% for BAF2, respectively, during the whole operation. The integration system of ozonation and BAF could tolerate a higher organic loading rate. When HRT decreased from 4 to 1 h, COD removal efficiency decreased from 12 to 4% for the BAF1 system, but it kept almost unchanged at high levels of 27–32% for the ozonation-BAF2 system, with around 20% removal by ozonation. The biomass in BAF2 exhibited a higher activity of protease, DHA, and SOUR than that in BAF1. The organic pollutants in influent and effluent of BAF were mainly ester compounds, which were difficult to biodegrade by BAF. The predominant genera in BAF1 were Gemmatimonadaceae uncultured, Thauera, and Thiobacillus, while the dominant genera in BAF2 were Nitrospira, Gemmatimonadaceae uncultured, and Flexibacter, respectively. Overall, BAF2 performed better than BAF1 in organic pollutant removal and microbial activity. The ozonation process was vital for BAF to treat petrochemical secondary effluent.

http://ift.tt/2Dwdzjr

An assessment of emergy, energy, and cost-benefits of grain production over 6 years following a biochar amendment in a rice paddy from China

Abstract

Biochar soil amendment had been increasingly advocated for improving crop productivity and reducing carbon footprint in agriculture worldwide. However, the long-term benefits of biochar application with farming systems had not been thoroughly understood. This study quantified and assessed emergy, energy, and economic benefits of rice and wheat production throughout 6 rotation years following a single biochar amendment in a rice paddy from Southeastern China. Using the data from farm inventory, the quantified emergy indices included grain outputs, unit emergy value, and relative percentage of free renewable resources, environmental loading ratio, emergy yield ratio, and emergy sustainability index (ESI). The results indicated contrasting differences in these emergy values between biochar-amended and unamended production systems over the 6 years. The overall emergy efficiency of rice and wheat productions in biochar-amended system were higher by 11–28 and 15–47%, respectively, than that of unamended one of which the production being highly resource intensive. Moreover, ESI on average was 0.46 for rice and 0.63 for wheat in amended system, compared to 0.35 for rice and 0.39 for wheat in unamended one. Furthermore, over the 6 years following a single application, the ESI values showed considerable variation in the unamended system but consistently increasing in the amended system. Again, the biochar-amended system exerted significantly higher energy and economic return than the unamended one. Nonetheless, there was a tradeoff between rice and wheat in grain yield and net economic gain. Overall, biochar amendment could be a viable measure to improve the resilience of grain production while to reduce resource intensity and environment impacts in paddy soil from China.

http://ift.tt/2E5D4Jw

Plasmas ozone inactivation of Legionella in deionized water and wastewater

Abstract

The results show that ozone concentration determination using ultraviolet spectrophotometry (UV-2450) at 258 nm is easier than using indigo method at 600 nm. A strong linear relationship was found between purge time and O₃ concentration in deionized water. Ozone concentration can be predicted in deionized water. A higher O₃ flow rate or lower temperature led to a higher O₃ concentration. Ozone concentration was stable in 60 min, so that ozone self-decomposition could be ignored at ozone concentrations below 0.4 mg L⁻¹. A higher temperature led to a higher inactivation efficiency and rate, and that a lower temperature led to a lower ozone decay rate and inactivation efficiency even if ozone solubility increased when temperature decreased. The fastest inactivation rate occurred before c₀t = 165 μg L⁻¹ s, but the inactivation rate decreased after c₀t = 165 μg L⁻¹ s with tail phenomena. The tail phenomena were clearly observed and may be caused by oxidization of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), cell membrane, etc. The activation energy E_a = 55,404 ± 0.3 J mol⁻¹ were obtained for Legionella inactivation with ozone in deionized water. Ozone maximum decay rate was positively proportional to COD concentration. COD impacted on ozone concentration seriously. Higher COD concentration resulted in higher ozone decay rate. COD could result in ozone concentration decrement rapidly to a steady value in 5 s. Higher initial ozone concentration resulted in higher germ inactivation rate. Higher initial COD concentration resulted in lower Legionella inactivation efficiency. COD was easier to react with ozone than Legionella. The relationship among the initial COD concentrations COD₀, the initial O₃ concentration c₀, and the O₃ contact time t necessary for a 99.999% reduction of Legionella in wastewater can be expressed in some equations. O₃ disinfection time t necessary for a 99.999% reduction of Legionella can be predicted by Eqs. (10) and (11).

Graphical abstract

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RNA Selection by PIWI Proteins

Publication date: Available online 24 January 2018
Source:Trends in Biochemical Sciences
Author(s): Alexey L. Arkov
Gene regulation by PIWI–piRNA complexes is determined by the selection of cognate target RNAs by PIWI–piRNA. What are the mechanisms for this selection? There is a rigorous multistep control in identifying target RNAs by PIWI–piRNA structures, and RNA helicases play a potentially crucial role in this process.



http://ift.tt/2F7KevR