Clinical and EEG characteristics analysis of autoimmune encephalitis in children with positive and negative anti-N-methyl- D-aspartate receptor antibodies.

Background: Autoimmune encephalitis is complex and varied, but it is a curable disease. However, the diagnosis and treatment of children with Autoimmune encephalitis remains challenging. Therefore, we conducted this study to analyze the clinical features, electroencephalogram (EEG) characteristics, treatment and prognosis of autoimmune encephalitis in children with negative and positive anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody.

Distribution of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in aquatic plant-based systems: From soil adsorption and plant uptake to effects on microbial community.

This study systematically explored the distribution of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) through soil adsorption and plant bioaccumulation in aquatic plant-based systems, derived from a surface flow constructed wetland (CW) planted with Typha angustifolia. The water-soil-plant systems were fortified with eight perfluoroalkyl subsntances (PFASs) at different concentrations. The potential for individual PFAS adsorption onto soil substrate and bioaccumulation in the plants increased with the increasing PFAS initial concentrations.

Regulatory effect of anti-gp130 functional mAb on IL-6 mediated RANKL and Wnt5a expression through JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway in FLS.

We investigated the effect on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) of an anti-gp130 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and its mechanism using RA fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and a collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) mouse model. We determined the interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-6 receptor α (IL-6Rα), gp130, receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1), and Bcl-2 levels in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) serum and synovial fluid. RA FLS were cultured with or without IL-6/IL-6Rα; WNT5A and RANKL levels were detected.

Identification of hub genes and pathways associated with bladder cancer based on co-expression network analysis.

The aim of the present study was to identify hub genes and signaling pathways associated with bladder cancer (BC) utilizing centrality analysis and pathway enrichment analysis. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened from the ArrayExpress database between normal subjects and BC patients. Co-expression networks of BC were constructed using differentially co-expressed genes and links, and hub genes were investigated by degree centrality analysis of co-expression networks in BC.

Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in cold climate - A review.

Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been successfully used for treating various wastewaters for decades and have been identified as a sustainable wastewater management option worldwide. However, the application of CW for wastewater treatment in frigid climate presents special challenges. Wetland treatment of wastewater relies largely on biological processes, and reliable treatment is often a function of climate conditions.

Effects of ZnO nanoparticle exposure on wastewater treatment and soluble microbial products (SMPs) in an anoxic-aerobic membrane bioreactor.

The effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the performance of an anoxic-aerobic submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR), and the characterization of the soluble microbial products (SMPs) produced in the presence of ZnO NPs was evaluated. Continuous operation over 144 days showed that ZnO NPs at concentrations of 10 and 50 mg/L exerted a negative impact on chemical oxygen demand (COD) and nitrogen removal, although ZnO NPs were efficiently removed in the MBR (>92%). 10 and 50 mg/L ZnO NPs decreased COD removal substantially from 93.

Characterization and biodegradability of sludge from a high rate A-stage contact tank and B-stage membrane bioreactor of a pilot-scale AB system treating municipal wastewaters.

In light of global warming mitigation efforts, increasing sludge disposal costs, and need for reduction in the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment plants, innovation in treatment technology has been tailored towards energy self-sufficiency. The AB process is a promising technology for achieving maximal energy recovery from wastewaters with minimum energy expenditure and therefore inherently reducing excess sludge production. Characterization of this novel sludge and its comparison with the more conventional B-stage sludge are necessary for a deeper understanding of AB treatment process design.

[Research achievements on biological activities of calycosin].

Calycosin, which is a kind of typical phytoestrogen, can bind with estrogen receptor and produce estrogen-like effects. Calycosin were reported to have antioxidant, anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor and immunomodulating activities. This review covers biological activities and its mechanism of calycosin.

Identification of recalcitrant compounds in a pilot-scale AB system: An adsorption (A) stage followed by a biological (B) stage to treat municipal wastewater.

This manuscript presents a comparison of the A-stage and B-stage sludges in terms of anaerobic biodegradability and low molecular weight compounds present in the supernatant using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis of A-stage and B-stage supernatants identified respectively 43 and 19 organic compounds consisting mainly of aromatics (27.9% and 21%), alcohols (25.

Application of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in tropical and subtropical regions (2000-2013).

Constructed wetlands (CWs) have been successfully used for treating various wastewaters for decades and have been identified as a sustainable wastewater management option for developing countries. With the goal of promoting sustainable engineered systems that support human well-being but are also compatible with sustaining natural (environmental) systems, the application of CWs has become more relevant. Such application is especially significant for developing countries with tropical climates, which are very conducive to higher biological activity and productivity, resulting in higher treatment efficiencies compared to those in temperate climates.

Novel KIF6 polymorphism increases susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease in Han Chinese men.

Objectives: The effect of the KIF6 polymorphism Trp719Arg on the risk of T2DM and T2DM with CHD remains unclear.

Methods: 946 unrelated subjects of Han Chinese origin were recruited, comprising 346 controls, 312 T2DM, and 288 T2DM + CHD patients. Genotyping was performed by high-resolution melting curve analysis using real-time qPCR.

Exogenous IFN-beta regulates the RANKL-c-Fos-IFN-beta signaling pathway in the collagen antibody-induced arthritis model.

Background: Although a variety of drugs have been used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), none of them are able to cure the disease. Interferon β (IFN-β) has pleiotropic effects on RA, but whether it can be used to treat RA remains globally controversial. Thus, in this study we tested the effects of IFN-β on RA patients and on collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) model mice.

Increased expression of miR-222 is associated with poor prognosis in bladder cancer.

Background: MicroRNA-222 (miR-222) has been shown to play a potential oncogenic role in bladder cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of miR-222 in bladder cancer and its potential relevance to clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival.

Methods: Surgical specimens of cancer tissue and adjacent normal tissue were obtained from 97 patients with bladder cancer.

Application of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in developing countries--a review of recent developments (2000-2013).

Inadequate access to clean water and sanitation has become one of the most pervasive problems afflicting people throughout the developing world. Replication of centralized water-, energy- and cost-intensive technologies has proved ineffective in resolving the complex water-related problems resulting from rapid urbanization in the developing countries. Instead constructed wetlands (CWs) have emerged and become a viable option for wastewater treatment, and are currently being recognized as attractive alternatives to conventional wastewater treatment methods.

ABCG5/8 variants are associated with susceptibility to coronary heart disease.

ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 5 (ABCG5) and ABCG8 are members of an ATP-binding cassette transporter superfamily. ABCG5 and ABCG8 variants affected serum levels of cholesterol and were considered as risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD). The present control study analyzed ABCG5 and ABCG8 variants in a population for association with the risk of CHD.

Baseline prognostic factors and statistic model to predict early virological response in telbivudine-treated patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still a worldwide disease, which may cause liver cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. Telbivudine is a potent nucleoside analogue used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB); however, drug resistance has remained a challenge. As early virological response can predict long-term efficacy of nucleotide analogue treatment, numerous studies have been conducted in this area.

[Clinical characteristics of and factors related to relapse in chronic hepatitis B patients after nucleoside analogues withdrawal].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of and factors related to relapse in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who had previously achieved cessation criteria and had been withdrawn from nucleoside analogues treatment.

Methods: Sixty CHB patients who experienced relapse after nucleoside analogues withdrawal based on cessation criteria were enrolled in the study retrospectively. Each patient's data on biochemical, serological and viral characteristics corresponding to baseline (treatment initiation), withdrawal and relapse were collected.

[Risk factors of hepatorenal syndrome in patients with acute on chronic liver failure].

Objective: To identify the risk factors of hepatorenal syndrome in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF).

Methods: A total of 726 hospitalized patients with HBV-ACLF were retrospectively analyzed. Data of demographic and clinical parameters (sex, age, family history, and presence of liver cirrhosis and diabetes), common complications (spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, pulmonary infection, hepatic encephalopathy, and upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage), and baseline biochemical parameters (albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, cholinesterase, K+, Na+, plasma thromboplastin antecedent, alpha-fetoprotein, HBV DNA, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and platelet count) were collected from the medical records database.

Fate of pharmaceutical compounds in hydroponic mesocosms planted with Scirpus validus.

A systematic approach to assess the fate of selected pharmaceuticals (carbamazepine, naproxen, diclofenac, clofibric acid and caffeine) in hydroponic mesocosms is described. The overall objective was to determine the kinetics of depletion (from solution) and plant uptake for these compounds in mesocosms planted with S. validus growing hydroponically.

[Effects of perioperative blood transfusion on the severity of postoperative infection].

This study was purposed to explore whether the blood transfusion of surgical patients can increase the severity of postoperative infection by a retrospective analysis of patients with postoperative infection in Chinese PLA General Hospital. By using a software "clinical transfusion database" developed by our department, 150 infected surgical cases were retrieved and divided into deep infection group and superficial infection group according to the infected location. These two groups were compared in term of the patient's age, duration of hospitalization, red blood cell transfusion volume, none-red cell transfusion volume, transfusion frequency and average transfusion volume.

Assessment of plant-driven uptake and translocation of clofibric acid by Scirpus validus.

Pharmaceutical compounds are now considered as emerging contaminants of environmental concern. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the uptake and translocation of clofibric acid (CA) by the macrophyte Scirpus validus growing hydroponically. A set of the three replicates was established for each exposure time and for each CA concentration.

Clinical observations on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with frontal lobe epilepsy.

The objective was to investigate the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with frontal lobe epilepsy and related factors. The medical records of 190 children diagnosed with frontal lobe epilepsy at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between 2006 and 2011 were retrospectively collected, and a follow-up analysis of the prevalence of ADHD in these children was conducted. Of the 161 children with an effective follow-up, 59.

Carbamazepine and naproxen: fate in wetland mesocosms planted with Scirpus validus.

Scirpus validus was grown hydroponically and exposed to the pharmaceuticals, carbamazepine and naproxen at concentrations of 0.5-2.0 mg L(-1) for an exposure duration of up to 21 d.

Effect of feeding strategies on pharmaceutical removal by subsurface flow constructed wetlands.

This study presents findings on an assessment of the effect of continuous and batch feeding strategies on the removal of selected pharmaceuticals from synthetic wastewater. Six mesocosm-scale constructed wetlands, including three horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands and three sand filters, were set up at the campus of Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. The findings showed that ibuprofen and diclofenac removal in the wetlands was significantly ( < 0.

Fate of caffeine in mesocosms wetland planted with Scirpus validus.

Uptake, accumulation and translocation of caffeine by Scirpus validus grown in hydroponic condition were investigated. The plants were cultivated in Hoagland's nutrient solution spiked with caffeine at concentrations of 0.5-2.