Importance of Organic Matter to the Retention and Transport of Bisphenol A and Bisphenol S in Saturated Soils

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) are frequently detected in soils and groundwater, which may pose threats to public health and the environment. However, the fate and transport of BPA/BPS in the subsurface media are still not clear. In this study, the retention and transport of BPA/BPS in three different natural soils were investigated with column experiments and mathematical modeling. The results showed that both BPA and BPS had high mobility in saturated soil A (Xinjiang soil), medium mobility in soil B (Changshu soil) media, and no mobility in the soil C (Jilin soil). There was a negative correlation between the mobility of BPA/BPS and soil organic matter (SOM) content because of the strong sorption of BPA/BPS on SOM. BPS showed higher mobility than BPA in the three soils. In addition, with the reduction of SOM of the soil B and C (after H₂O₂-treatment), the mobility of BPA/BPS enhanced dramatically. All these suggest that SOM played a significant role in controlling the retention and transport of BPA/BPS in the soil. Furthermore, the two-site kinetic model simulated the BPA/BPS transport experiment results very well.

http://bit.ly/2BaGcna

Complete Genome Sequence of Streptomyces olivoreticuli ATCC 31159 Which can Produce Anticancer Bestatin and Show Diverse Secondary Metabolic Potentials

Abstract

Because of its competitive inhibitor activity against aminopeptidase B, bestatin isolated from the broth of Streptomyces olivoreticuli ATCC 31159 is famous and currently used as an approved therapeutic agent for cancer and bacterial infections. It can be used alone or in combination with other antibiotics or anticancer drugs as adjuvant therapy drug for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Due to the therapeutic importance of bestatin, mining of its biosynthetic mechanism is imperative. Genome mining, one of the bioinformatics-based approaches for the discovery of novel natural product, has been developed and applied widely. Herein, we reported the complete genome of Streptomyces olivoreticuli ATCC 31159 obtained from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). It consists of 8,809,793 base pairs with a linear chromosome, GC content of 71.1%, 7520 protein-coding genes, 75 tRNA operons, 21 rRNA operons, 63 sRNAs. In addition, predictive analysis showed that at least 37 putative biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) of the secondary metabolites were obtained, 18 new BGCs with low similarity (< 25%) were included. The availability of novel and abundant gene clusters not only will provide clues for cracking the biosynthetic mechanism of bestatin, but also will provide valuable insight for mining the diverse bioactive compounds based on rational strategies.

http://bit.ly/2HIuoOJ

Focus on non-union of fractures

http://bit.ly/2DJUaxJ

Australian Psychotherapy for Trauma Incorporating Neuroscience: Evidence- and Ethics-Informed Practice

Abstract

Currently there are several psychotherapy modalities utilising theory and research from neuroscience in treatment frameworks for mental health and recovery from trauma. In Australia this includes: (i) the Conversational Model of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, a contemporary psychodynamic approach used for treating Borderline Personality Disorder and other trauma-related disorders; (ii) Electroencephalogram Neurofeedback, a brain training therapy which has been used as an adjunct to counselling/psychotherapy in traumatic stress and developmental trauma; and (iii) Somatic Experiencing, an integrative mind-body approach based on body responses to threat and fear, especially thwarted attempts to enact fight or flight in the face of threat. These modalities have a promising but still-limited evidence base. This paper explores the role of different types of evidence to frame a descriptive review of the current evidence base available for clinicians practicing in these three modalities. While large clinical trials can provide evidence of comparative effectiveness, case studies, observational, qualitative and practice-based enquiry can assist in discovering other aspects of therapy important for individual clients and practitioners. Existing frameworks of evidence- and ethics-informed health and clinical decision-making suggest an ethical approach can incorporate new, developing and evidence-building therapies. Recommendations include careful consideration of informed consent for therapy including disclosure of efficacy and safety, and specific to psychotherapies incorporating neuroscience, a need for practitioners to reflectively assess their own knowledge, competence, heuristic approaches and biases.

http://bit.ly/2SfBkGZ

Core-shell structure Ag@Pd nanoparticles supported on layered MnO 2 substrate as toluene oxidation catalyst

Abstract

The silver palladium bimetallic core-shell structure nanoparticles (Ag@Pd NPs) were synthesized by a thin Pd shell slowly generating on the outmost of Ag nanoparticle according to galvanic replacement mechanism. Then, the 2D layered structure manganese dioxide (MnO₂) substrate was used to support the as-synthesize Ag@Pd NPs to prepare Ag@Pd/MnO₂ catalyst for toluene purification in oxidation reaction. Physicochemical properties of the samples were characterized by a number of different analytical techniques. It is found that the Ag@Pd NPs are homogeneously spherical shape with an average particle diameter size of 7.1 nm. And the MnO₂ substrate can not only uniformly disperse Ag@Pd active component on its surface for its high specific surface area and mesopore volume, but also provide the reactive lattice oxygen by its mixed oxidation states of Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺. Moreover, the core-shell configuration of Ag@Pd NPs can improve the state phase transformation from Pd⁰ to PdO₂ with the aid of lattice oxygen of MnO₂ substrate, because of the lattice oxygen migration controlled strong metal-support interaction (SMSI) effect between palladium active component and MnO₂ substrate. So, there would be more exposed PdO₂ active sites on the Ag@Pd/MnO₂ catalyst relative to monometallic Pd/MnO₂ catalyst. Hence, the as-prepared bimetallic core-shell Ag@Pd/MnO₂ catalyst exhibits greatly higher toluene oxidation activity at lower reaction temperature than monometallic Pd/MnO₂ catalyst, indicating it is a promising catalyst for use in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) purification.

http://bit.ly/2SgMMlv

Evolution of nanocrystal size distribution in porous silicon nanoparticles during storage in aqueous media: X-ray diffraction analysis

Abstract

X-ray diffraction studies of electrochemically prepared mesoporous and microporous silicon particles were carried out to monitor their dissolution in aqueous media. The dissolution process was found to result in either decreasing or an increasing of the mean size of silicon nanocrystallites in mesoporous and microporous samples, respectively. The evolution of nanocrystallite size was related by polydispersity of the initial size distribution and it was described by using a model of "shrinking spheres." The proposed approach was used to confirm an effect of biopolymer surrounding of silicon nanocrystallites on their stability in aqueous medium. The obtained results and developed model can be useful for potential biomedical applications of porous silicon.

http://bit.ly/2HEw1wJ

Silicone breast implants and depression, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome in a rheumatology clinic population

Abstract

Introduction

Silicone breast implants (SBI) may induce systemic autoimmune disease as part of autoimmune syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). This syndrome bears similarities to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). We sought to determine whether there are any associations between SBI and depression, fibromyalgia and CFS in a rheumatology clinic population.

Methods

The electronic files of rheumatology clinic patients at the Royal Adelaide Hospital between 2000 and 2017 were searched for patients who had received SBI prior to rheumatological diagnosis. Demographics, diagnosis, implant history and whether the patient had depression, fibromyalgia or CFS were recorded. Controls were rheumatology clinic patients, half of whom had systemic sclerosis (SSc) and the other half had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They were matched to cases 3:1 for age (within 2 years) and gender.

Results

Thirty patients had received SBI (mean age 47.9, 100% female). Twelve had a diagnosis of depression, 6 of fibromyalgia and 3 of CFS. Implant rupture was not associated with any of these (p = 1). There was no difference in the incidence of depression (p = 1), fibromyalgia (p = 0.76) or CFS (p = 0.3) between cases and SLE controls. When compared with SSc controls, there were significantly more patients with fibromyalgia and/or CFS in the case group (20.0% of cases vs 2.2% of SSc controls, p = 0.01) but no difference in depression (p = 0.12).

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia and CFS are more common in patients with silicone implants than SSc controls but not SLE controls. Prospective study of development of depression, fibromyalgia and CFS in recipients of SBI is required.

http://bit.ly/2S4wBZC