A batch reactor mass transfer kinetic model for immobilized biomass biosorption

Inactive cells of Rhizopus arrhizus have been immobilized into the form of particles of desirable particle size using a proprietary immobilization technique. The immobilized biomass particles are porous and are members of a new generation of biological origin adsorbents. The uranium adsorptive behavior of the biosorbent particles was modeled using a batch reactor mass transfer kinetic model of the biosorption process. The model successfully predicts the batch reactor adsorbate (uranium) concentration profiles and has provided significant insights on the way biosorbents function.     

Relationship between the composition of the regulatory complex of esterases and the age ofMycobacterium phlei culture

During submerged cultivation ofMycobacterium phlei a mixture of macromolecular compounds ia released into the medium. Concentrated filtrates of cultures of different ages were separated on Sephadex G-25 fine and polyanions were found to predominate in the young culture. During further days of fermentation the proportion of polycations significantly increases. The results are discussed with respect to the regulatory complex of esterases.     

Cobalt‐Free High‐Capacity Ni‐Rich Layered Li[Ni0.9Mn0.1]O2 Cathode

Li[Ni_0.9Co_0.1]O₂ (NC90), Li[Ni_0.9Co_0.05Mn_0.05]O₂ (NCM90), and Li[Ni_0.9Mn_0.1]O₂ (NM90) cathodes are synthesized for the development of a Co‐free high‐energy‐density cathode. NM90 maintains better cycling stability than the two Co‐containing cathodes, particularly under harsh cycling conditions (a discharge capacity of 236 mAh g^?1 with a capacity retention of 88% when cycled at 4.4 V under 30 °C and 93% retention when cycled at 4.3 V under 60 °C after 100 cycles). The reason for the enhanced stability is mainly the ability of NM90 to absorb the strain associated with the abrupt anisotropic lattice contraction/extraction and to suppress the formation of microcracks, in addition to enhanced chemical stability from the increased presence of stable Mn⁴⁺. Although the absence of Co deteriorates the rate capability, this can be overcome as the rate capability of the NM90 approaches that of the NCM90 when cycled at 60 °C. The long‐term cycling stability of NM90 is confirmed in a full cell, demonstrating that it is one of the most promising Co‐free cathodes for high‐energy‐density applications. This study not only provides insight into redefining the role of Mn in a Ni‐rich cathode, it also represents a clear breakthrough in achieving a commercially viable Co‐free Ni‐rich layered cathode.     

2D Metal Zn Nanostructure Electrodes for High‐Performance Zn Ion Supercapacitors

Recent supercapacitors show a high power density with long‐term cycle life time in energy‐powering applications. A supercapacitor based on a single metal electrode accompanying multivalent cations, multiple charging/discharging kinetics, and high electrical conductivity is a promising energy‐storing system that replaces conventionally used oxide and sulfide materials. Here, a hierarchically nanostructured 2D‐Zn metal electrode‐ion supercapacitor (ZIC) is reported which significantly enhances the ion diffusion ability and overall energy storage performance. Those nanostructures can also be successfully plated on various flat‐type and fiber‐type current collectors by a controlled electroplating method. The ZIC exhibits excellent pseudocapacitive performance with a high energy density of 208 W h kg^?1 and a power density from 500 W kg^?1, which are significantly higher than those of previously reported supercapacitors with oxide and sulfide materials. Furthermore, the fiber‐type ZIC also shows high energy‐storing performance, outstanding mechanical flexibility, and waterproof characteristics, without any significant capacitance degradation during bending tests. These results highlight the promising possibility of nanostructured 2D Zn metal electrodes with the controlled electroplating method for future energy storage applications.     

Contribution of P2X4 receptor in pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a review

Purinergic Signalling - Pain is the most common symptom reported by patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) even after the resolution of chronic joint inflammation. It is believed that...     

Proangiogenic TIE2+/CD31+ macrophages are the predominant population of tumor-associated macrophages infiltrating metastatic lymph nodes

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) accumulate in various cancers and promote tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, and thus may be ideal targets for the clinical diagnosis of tumor metastasis with high specificity. However, there are few specific markers to distinguish between TAMs and normal or inflammatory macrophages. Here, we show that TAMs localize in green fluorescent protein-labeled tumors of metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) from B16F1 melanoma cells but not in necrotic tumor regions, suggesting that TAMs may promote the growth of tumor cells and the progression of tumor metastasis. Furthermore, we isolated pure populations of TAMs from MLNs and characterized their gene expression signatures compared to peritoneal macrophages (PMs), and found that TAMs significantly overexpress immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β as well as proangiogenic factors such as VEGF, TIE2, and CD31. Notably, immunological analysis revealed that TIE2⁺/CD31⁺ macrophages constitute the predominant population of TAMs that infiltrate MLNs, distinct from tissue or inflammatory macrophages. Importantly, these TIE2⁺/CD31⁺ macrophages also heavily infiltrated MLNs from human breast cancer biopsies but not reactive hyperplastic LNs. Thus, TIE2⁺/CD31⁺ macrophages may be a unique histopathological biomarker for detecting metastasis in clinical diagnosis, and a novel and promising target for TAM-specific cancer therapy.     

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Albuminuria in the Korean Adult Population: The 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background

Microalbuminuria is associated with increased risk of renal disease and cardiovascular diseases even in non-diabetic subjects. High incidence rates of microalbuminuria have been found in a number of population-based studies. However, the prevalence and risk factors associated with microalbuminuria in the general population in Korea are unclear.

Objectives

The present study was performed to estimate the prevalence of microalbuminuria and investigate the associated risk factors in the general adult population using the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-2) data from 2011.

Methods

A total of 5,202 participants (mean age, 45.6 years; men, 2,337; women, 2,865) were included in the analysis. Microalbuminuria was evaluated in participants of KNHANES V-2 based on the urine albumin–creatinine ratio. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation.

Results

The weighted prevalence of microalbuminuria was 5.2% (95% CI, 4.4–6.1) in the general population. The prevalence of albuminuria is increased with age. After adjustment for age and sex, the presence of albuminuria was associated with increased waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose, and the presence of hypertension and diabetes. In logistic regression analyses, older age, female sex, diabetes, hypertension, and serum aspartate aminotransferase were independently associated with the presence of albuminuria.

Conclusion

The prevalence of microalbuminuria was found to be 5.2%, and conventional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are closely related to the presence of microalbuminuria in Korea. Microalbuminuria may be a useful marker to identify individuals with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.     

Expression of DBC1 and Androgen Receptor Predict Poor Prognosis in Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma

BACKGROUND: Recently, deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1) has been suggested as a poor prognostic indicator of various human cancers and may possibly have a role as a coactivator of androgen receptor (AR). However, their roles in lymphoma are still unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the effect of the expression of DBC1 and AR in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Immunohistochemical expression of DBC1 and AR were evaluated in 101 DLBCL samples by tissue microarray. RESULTS: Positive expression of DBC1 and AR was seen in 73% and 70% of DLBCL, respectively. In total DLBCL patients, DBC1 and AR expression were significantly associated with high clinical stage, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase levels, and high international prognostic index scores, and they predicted shorter overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) by univariate analysis. DBC1 expression was also an independent prognostic indicator by multivariate analysis (OS, P = .017; RFS, P = .004). Especially, both DBC1 and AR expression significantly correlated with shorter OS and RFS in non-germinal center B cell (non-GCB)-type DLBCL by univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, DBC1 expression was an independent prognostic predictor for OS (P = .035) and AR expression significantly correlated with RFS (P = .005). CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the expression of DBC1 and AR are significant prognostic indicators for DLBCL patients, especially for unfavorable non-GCB-type DLBCL.