Synthesis,characterization, and tunable adsorption and diffusion properties of hybrid ZIF‐7‐90 frameworks

Hybrid zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs), containing more than one type of imidazolate linker, can allow highly tunable molecular sieving and adsorption. Their crystallization becomes more challenging when the end‐member (single‐linker) ZIFs crystallize in different crystal systems. We demonstrate the controlled synthesis and detailed characterization of hybrid ZIF‐7‐90 frameworks containing linkers of ZIF‐7 (rhombohedral) and ZIF‐90 (cubic). ZIF‐7‐90 materials with SOD‐type topology are obtained in three crystalline phases depending on the linker composition and synthesis technique. The effect of synthesis conditions on the activation‐induced phase transition from rhombohedral to other topologies is studied. Nitrogen physisorption at 77 K and CO₂ physisorption at 273 K shows the tunability of the pore‐size distribution and the framework flexibility as a function of framework composition. Measurements of water adsorption and butane isomer diffusion illustrate the tunability of diffusivity over seven orders of magnitude and control of hydrophobic to hydrophilic adsorption behavior. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 525–537, 2016     

Archaeal Diversity in Biofilm Technologies Applied to Treat Urban and Industrial Wastewater: Recent Advances and Future Prospects

Biological wastewater treatment (WWT) frequently relies on biofilms for the removal of anthropogenic contaminants. The use of inert carrier materials to support biofilm development is often required, although under certain operating conditions microorganisms yield structures called granules, dense aggregates of self-immobilized cells with the characteristics of biofilms maintained in suspension. Molecular techniques have been successfully applied in recent years to identify the prokaryotic communities inhabiting biofilms in WWT plants. Although methanogenic Archaea are widely acknowledged as key players for the degradation of organic matter in anaerobic bioreactors, other biotechnological functions fulfilled by Archaea are less explored, and research on their significance and potential for WWT is largely needed. In addition, the occurrence of biofilms in WWT plants can sometimes be a source of operational problems. This is the case for membrane bioreactors (MBR), an advanced technology that combines conventional biological treatment with membrane filtration, which is strongly limited by biofouling, defined as the undesirable accumulation of microbial biofilms and other materials on membrane surfaces. The prevalence and spatial distribution of archaeal communities in biofilm-based WWT as well as their role in biofouling are reviewed here, in order to illustrate the significance of this prokaryotic cellular lineage in engineered environments devoted to WWT.     

Differential Modulation of Apoptotic Processes by Proanthocyanidins as a Dietary Strategy for Delaying Chronic Pathologies

Apoptosis is a biological process necessary for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Several diseases can result if it is deregulated. For example, inhibition of apoptotic signaling pathways is linked to the survival of pathological cells, which contributes to cancer, whereas excessive apoptosis is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, partially via oxidative stress. The activation or restoration of apoptosis via extrinsic or intrinsic pathways combined with cell signaling pathways triggered by reactive oxygen specises (ROS) formation is considered a key strategy by which bioactive foods can exert their health effects. Proanthocyanidins, a class of flavonoids naturally found in fruits, vegetables, and beverages, have attracted a great deal of attention not only because they are strong antioxidants but also because they appear to exert a different modulation of apoptosis, stimulating apoptosis in damaged cells, thus preventing cancer or reducing apoptosis in healthy cells, and as a result, preserving the integrity of normal cells and protecting against neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, proanthocyanidins could provide a defense against apoptosis induced by oxidative stress or directly inhibit apoptosis, and they could also provide a promising treatment for a variety of diseases. Emerging data suggest that proanthocyanidins, especially those that humans can be persuaded to consume, may be used to prevent and manage cancer and mental disorders.     

Evaluation and interpretation of thematic mapper ratios in equations for estimating corn growth parameters

Reflectance and agronomic data were analyzed to determine possible data transformations for evaluating several plant parameters of corn. Three transformation forms were used: the ratio of two bands, logarithms of two-band ratios, and normalized differences of two bands. Normalized differences and logarithms of two-band ratios responded similarly in the equations for estimating the plant growth parameters evaluated in this study. Two-term equations were required to obtain the maximum predictability of percent ground cover, canopy moisture content, and total wet phytomass. Standard error of estimate values were 15–26% lower for two-term estimates of these parameters than for one-term estimates. The terms log(TM4/TM2) and (TM4/TM5) produced the maximum predictability for leaf area and dry green leaf weight, respectively. The middle infrared bands TM5 and TM7 are essential for maximizing predictability for all measured plant parameters except LAI. The estimating models were evaluated over bare soil to discriminate between equations which are statistically similar. Qualitative interpretations of the resulting prediction equations are consistent with general agronomic and remote sensing theory.     

The influence of the magnetron frequency, the servo settings and the gantry angle on the flatness and the dose calibration of a linear accelerator

Identification of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults presents a number of problems because there is no one specific diagnostic test for the condition. Given this challenge, clinicians often struggle between restrictive and exclusionary diagnostic methods or overinclusive acceptance that ADHD is a prevalent and disabling problem. A modified version of the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Rating Scale was administered to 468 students at a large midwestern university. Analysis of the results suggested that the degree of ADHD symptoms in college students is modest and indicated that cutoff scores of 4 for current symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity would be sufficient to identify a college student as distinct from the norm. Although it would be premature to accept the calculated thresholds completely, clinicians should be aware of these differences when evaluating college students for ADHD.     

Endothelial cell activation in muscle biopsy samples is related to clinical severity in human cerebral malaria

To test the hypothesis of vascular sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes in Plasmodium falciparum malaria in vivo, a pathologic and immunohistochemical study was done of the microvasculature of skeletal muscle biopsy samples from P. falciparum malaria patients at different stages of severity. Parasitized red blood cells sequestered in the skeletal muscle vessels were observed in samples from necropsies but were never demonstrated in biopsy specimens. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin expression was consistent only in specimens from cerebral malaria patients. Samples from such patients had strong staining of the constitutive endothelial adhesion molecules tested. The staining intensity gradually decreased in samples from persons with milder forms of the disease. Four of 13 patients with severe malaria had aggregates of red blood cells, occasionally parasitized inside the muscle fibers. These data suggest that skeletal muscle biopsy could be a useful model for the study of the pathogenesis of malaria in vivo.     

Nonalcoholic components in wine reduce low density lipoprotein cholesterol in normocholesterolemic rats

Using an experimental model that enables the effects of alcohol to be distinguished from the effects of the nonalcoholic components present in wine, we determined whether wine has effects other than those of alcohol on the metabolism of cholesterol. Male rats were fed a standard diet and had free access to water and either wine or an equivalent alcohol solution for 45 d or 6 mon. Alcohol intake was similar in the two groups of animals. Consumption of the alcohol solution or wine did not influence plasma cholesterol or high density lipoprotein-cholesterol. At 45 d, the consumption both of wine and of alcohol solution reduced low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol. At 6 mon, only the rats that consumed wine had reduced LDL-cholesterol. After 45 d of consuming alcohol solution, total cholesterol in the aorta was significantly increased mainly as a result of the rise in free cholesterol. In the aorta, the effect of wine consumption was similar to the effect of alcohol solution consumption, although it was less intense. The only clear effect that could be ascribed to the nonalcoholic components in wine was that the LDL-cholesterol was reduced in the long term, although aortic cholesterol was not.     

Multiple myeloma in young patients: clinical presentation and treatment approach

Multiple myeloma (MM) in patients younger than 40 or 30 years accounts for only 2% and 0.3% of all myelomas, respectively. The presenting clinical and laboratory features are similar to those observed in patients of all ages who have myeloma, except a higher proportion of young patients have only light-chain myeloma. Some very young patients, particularly those younger than 30 years, have multiple skeletal lesions with extramedullary spread and a small M-component with few bone marrow plasma cells. In young patients with MM, particularly in those with good prognostic features (that is, normal renal function or low beta2-microglobulin level) and also in those younger than 30 years, the survival is longer than that in series of patients of all ages with MM. Young patients with MM might benefit from early high-dose therapy followed by autologous or allogeneic stem cell rescue. The current status of autologous and allogeneic transplantation in MM is reviewed.