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This paper reports on the use of waste ceramics tiles and waste diatomite in the synthesis of a novel porous ceramics construction material (WRPC) for moisture retention. Experiments were performed to elucidate the impact of sintering temperature (1000 °C–1200 °C) and the proportion of waste ceramics tiles (0 %–40 %) on mechanical properties and water absorption performance. The crystalline phases and constituent minerals were identified using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The proportion of waste ceramic material in the mix was positively correlated with volume shrinkage and inversely correlated with porosity. Sintering temperature was positively correlated with density and compressive strength, and negatively correlated with porosity and water absorption capacity. The primary crystal phase in the WRPC was identified as cristobalite, the intensity of which decreased with an increase in the content of material derived from waste ceramics tile. Under high heating temperatures, all of the quartz in the WRPC samples transformed into cristobalite, resulting in good chemical and thermal stability. The WRPC samples exhibited high compressive strength (>3 MPa), high water absorption capacity (>0.15 g/m2), and slow water-releasing behavior (t 1/2 = 4.1−17.3 h). Experiment results confirmed that waste ceramic tiles and waste diatomite could be transformed into construction materials of practical value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of infection between liver transplant patients with and without simultaneous splenectomy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 211 patients who underwent liver transplantation in the Tri-Service General Hospital from 2012 to 2017. The frequency of blood cultures obtained after liver transplantation; incidence of bacteremia, pathogens, and complications; and overall survival rates were compared between the groups. Results: One hundred thirty-three of 211 patients underwent liver transplantation without simultaneous splenectomy. There were no significant differences in the frequency of blood cultures obtained after liver transplantation (non-splenectomy group and splenectomy group: 63% and 62%, respectively); incidences of bacteremia after liver transplantation (21% and 21%, respectively), repeat bacteremia (39% and 35%, respectively), cytomegalovirus infection (4% and 3%, respectively), herpes infection (6% and 7%, respectively), and fungal infection (3% and 3%, respectively); and overall survival rate between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference in infection-related deaths between the groups. Simultaneous splenectomy and episodes of antibody-related rejection were significant risk factors associated with infection-related death in multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Although simultaneous splenectomy does not increase the incidence of infection, simultaneous splenectomy definitely carries risks of infection-related mortality in liver transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the use of sandblasting waste (SW) and solar panel waste glass (SPWG) as raw materials in the hydrothermal synthesis of Linde-type A zeolite (zeolite A) with crystallinity (83.89%) matching that of samples in the literature. ANOVA results indicated the following optimal synthesis parameters: crystallization temperature (120 °C), crystallization time (36 h), and Si/Al molar ratio (SAMR = 2.0). Model fitting results (R2 = 0.94) revealed a strong correlation between our regression results and experiment results, with the P value meeting the 95% confidence level. Experiment results confirmed the efficacy of the proposed hydrothermal processing method in synthesizing zeolite A using SPWG and waste SW as raw materials. [Display omitted] • Zeolite A (SZ) synthesized from solar panel waste glass and sandblasting waste. • Achieving the crystalline SZ with crystallinity of 83.89% at 120 °C and 36 h. • Model fitting results (R2 = 0.94) revealed a correlation between regression results and experiment results. • This study explains the crystallization mechanism of zeolite A synthesized from waste materials. • All major components of solar panel waste glass and sandblasting waste were utilized fully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the synthesis of zeolite A via hydrothermal alkali fusion using liquid crystal display waste glass (LCDWG) and sandblasting waste (SB). The design of the experiments was determined using the Box-Behnken method in conjunction with response surface design. Three factors were shown to have a pronounced effect on synthesis outcomes: (i) Si/Al molar ratio, (ii) crystallization temperature, and (iii) crystallization period. Synthesis parameters were optimized in accordance with the crystallinity (%) of the zeolite. XRD results revealed that increasing the Si/Al ratio improved the crystallinity and phase purity of the synthesized zeolite A. Increasing the crystallization temperature altered the crystal type and enhanced crystal purity; however, excessive temperatures reduced crystallinity and led to decomposition of the zeolite A phase. SEM results revealed that the resulting zeolite A possessed a cubic structure. ANOVA revealed that the Si/Al molar ratio had the most profound effect on the synthesis of zeolite A, followed by crystallization duration and crystallization temperature. The fact that the R2 value (0.95) was similar to the adjusted R2 value (0.8736) confirmed the efficacy of the proposed polynomial model. A highly significant F-value of 11.75 confirmed that the proposed model could be used for design purposes. The excellent water adsorption/desorption performance of the proposed zeolite A (49.83 g/ m2; meeting JIS A 1470 standards) indicates its suitability as a low-cost construction material for a variety of applications. The ultimate objective of this study was to overcome difficulties encountered in the disposal of industrial waste by converting LCDWG and SB into zeolite A. [Display omitted] • The LCDWG and SB were shown to be a feasible source of Al 2 O 3 and SiO 2 for the synthesis of zeolite A. • The DOE was determined using the BBD method in conjunction with response surface design. • This paper proposes a feasible model describing the crystallization of zeolite A. • Optimal zeolite A synthesis conditions included a Si/Al molar ratio of 2.0, temperature of 120°C, and synthesis time of 36 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 16q is one of the most frequent genetic alterations in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our previous data showed that the smallest common deleted region was between D16S415 and D16S419, encompassed approximately by a 0.75cM region on 16q12.2, suggesting that the putative tumour suppressor genes (TSGs) at this locus might be involved in the development of HCC. Of the four genes (CHD9, RBL2, AKTIP and RPGRIP1L) located in this region, only RPGRIP1L was downregulated in HCCs. Downregulation of RPGRIP1L was found in 91% (10/11) HCC cell lines and in 35% (14/40) HCCs, respectively. To investigate the role of RPGRIP1L in HCCs, we used the overexpression of RPGRIP1L in four HCC cell lines (HepG2, Huh6, Huh7 and Hep3B). Overexpression of RPGRIP1L suppressed colony formation of tumour cells. Conversely, expression of RPGRIP1LM (dominant negative form) in HCC cells enhanced colony formation. Furthermore, knockdown RPGRIP1L by RNA interference in SK-HepI cells promoted colony formation. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that RPGRIP1L might be the putative TSG in HCC. Moreover, we showed that Mad2, Survivin and Securin were elevated in RPGRIP1LM-HepG2 transfectants and RPGRIP1L-shRNA-SK-HepI transfectants. After knockdown of MAD2 in RPGRIP1L-shRNA-SK-HepI transfectants partly reverse cellular colony formation capability. These data suggest that RPGRIP1L suppresses anchorage-independent growth partly through the mitotic checkpoint protein Mad2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although many studies have explored emergency services for children, there are few published reports of the utilization of emergency services by children with disabilities. The present study attempts to provide data regarding the utilization of, and factors affecting, emergency department visits by disabled children in Taipei. A general census of 1006 children with disabilities, identified from the Taiwan National Disability Registry System in Taipei, was conducted. The overall response rate was 38%, yielding a sample of 340 disabled children. The results showed that 30.1% of children with disabilities had utilized emergency department services over the past 4 months with an average of 1.4 visits per child. The most common reasons for emergency visits were fever (34.7%), respiratory symptoms (24.2%), abdominal pain (15.8%), injury (7.4%), and epilepsy seizures (7.4%). This study also found, using a logistic regression model, that emergency department utilization may be associated with household economic status and the reported physical health of children with disabilities. The ‘deficit’ and ‘balance’ household economic status groups gave odds ratios of 3.902 (95% CI=1.469–10.364) and 3.311 (95% CI=1.249–8.779), relative to the ‘surplus’ group. The model also indicated that those children with disabilities who were reported as being in poor physical health had 11.359 times (95% CI=2.968–43.469) the likelihood of using emergency care than those whose physical health was in excellent condition. The study suggests that in order to maximize the health of children with disabilities, medical care stakeholders should consider who are the most likely groups to use emergency department services and develop anticipatory guidance or preventive services for this vulnerable population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purposes of the present study are to provide the first data on utilization, understanding and satisfaction of the National Health Insurance (NHI) premium subsidy for families of children with disabilities in Taipei. Data from the 2001 Taipei Early Intervention Utilization and Evaluation Survey for Aged 0–6 Children with Disabilities were analyzed. In the study, a total of 1006 questionnaires were mailed, of which 340 valid questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 33.8%. More than one-third of families of children with disabilities did not receive any financial subsidy of National Health Insurance (NHI). Less than half of the respondents (43.8%) understood the NHI premium subsidy policy completely, while 28.7% partial understood and 27.5% still did not know this auxiliary policy. Approximately 38.5% of the respondents were specifically very satisfied or satisfied, with the NHI subsidy program. There were 18.9% respondents who felt dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the NHI scheme for children with disabilities in Taiwan. Chi-square or t-test analyses were significant for the caregiver''s age (p <0.05), children''s disability onset and disability diagnosed age and disability level (p <0.01) on receiving the subsidy assistance. A multiple stepwise logistic regression revealed that the factor of ‘onset age of disability’ was slightly significant associated with the use of NHI premium subsidy (OR=0.966; 95% CI=0.947–0.986). Health policies should aim to reduce the inequity in NHI premium subsidy utilization and improve their understanding and satisfaction toward this subsidy scheme. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, liquid crystal display waste glass (LCD wg) and chemical mechanical polishing sludge (CMP s) were investigated as alternative sources of SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 for the preparation of the mesoporous moisture regulation material Al-MCM-41 (MRMCM). The aluminosilicate supernatant from the alkali fusion of LCD wg and CMP s and the surfactant cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were used as structure-directing agents. Synthesis was carried out by alkali fusion and hydrothermal methods, and the factor affecting the synthesis was the alkali fusion liquid-solid ratio. Reliable instruments and methods, including XRD, TEM, XRF, BET and BJH, were employed for characterization of the fabricated MRMCM. The results show that the pore size of these materials was between 3.0 and 4.5 nm, and with an increase in the liquid-solid ratio, the specific surface area of MRMCM increased to a maximum value of 1260 m2/g and exhibited a mesoporous structure. In addition, the hydrothermal temperature and the specific surface area also had a significant positive correlation as the temperature increased such that the surface area increased from 370 m2/g to 601 m2/g, which is a significant increase of 1.62 times. MRMCM exhibited a positive linear correlation between pore volume and specific surface area during 48 h of moisture absorption and desorption, and the amount of moisture absorbed by mesoporous MRMCM was determined. Thus, the mesoporous molecular sieves met Japan Industrial Standard JIS A 1470–1 2002, which regulates moisture regulation building materials (response to humidity variation > 29 g/m2). Therefore, the materials can be utilized in multiple applications, particularly as moisture regulation materials in building engineering. Image 1 • A new type of Al-MCM-41 mesoporous humidity control material is reported. • The influence of the liquid-solid ratio and hydrothermal temperature are discussed. • High adsorption/desorption capacity of water molecule were observed. • The mesoporous molecular sieves met Japan Industrial Standard JIS A 1470. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Forward osmosis membranes based on ultrathin graphene oxide (GO) were fabricated. Suitable crosslinking agents were used to tune the interlayer spacing of GO sheets to achieve the desired membrane performance. The physicochemical properties of membranes were evaluated using different techniques. The interlayer spacing of GO-based membranes was controlled the interaction between the surface functionality of GO with the nature of crosslinking agents, such as polyvinyl alcohol, meta-phenylenediamine (MPD) and 1,3,5-benzenetricarbonyl chloride (TMC). The covalent bonds between the layer and crosslinking agents effectively suppressed the d-spacing stretching. Unlike other symmetric structures of membranes, the GO-MPD/TMC behaviour observed in the ultrathin polyamide (36 nm) asymmetric structure for the performance of pressure-retarded osmosis (PRO) mode showed the highest flux of 20.8 LMH and low reverse salt flux of 3.4 gMH. A consistent water flux for a long-term PRO operation was achieved using GO-MPD/TMC membrane (∼98.7%). Therefore, the GO-MPD/TMC membrane can be used to suppress internal concentration polarisation. Graphical abstract The GO-MPD/TMC behaviour observed in the ultrathin polyamide (36 nm) asymmetric structure showed the highest flux of 20.8 LMH and low reverse salt flux of 3.4 gMH. A consistent water flux for a long-term operation was achieved using GO-MPD/TMC membrane (∼98.7%). Therefore, the ultrathin graphene oxide framework membrane may be used to suppress internal concentration polarisation. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochanin A is a major isoflavone in red clover and a potent chemopreventive agent against cancer. However, the effects of biochanin A on human osteosarcoma cells have never been clarified. This study investigated the anti-proliferative potential of biochanin A in osteosarcoma cells. The results indicate that biochanin A inhibited cell growth and colony formation in a dose-dependent manner with a minimal toxicity to normal cells. The combination of doxorubicin and biochanin A could synergistically inhibit osteosarcoma cell growth. The cytotoxic effect of biochanin A via the induction of apoptosis as evidenced by formation of apoptotic bodies, externalization of phosphatidylserine, accumulation of sub-G 1 phase cells, caspase 3 activation, and cleavage of PARP. Apoptosis was associated with loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c , caspase 9 activation, increased Bax expression, and reduced Bcl-2 and Bcl-X L expression. Pre-treatment with a caspase-9 specific inhibitor (Z-LEHD-FMK) partially attenuated cell death, suggesting involvement of the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic cascade. However, pre-treatment with the JNK inhibitor SP600125, the MEK inhibitor PD-98059, and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 or the antioxidants vitamin E, N-acetylcysteine, and glutathione failed to prevent biochanin A-induced cell death. Our results suggest that biochanin A inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells by triggering activation of the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and caspase-9 and -3 and increasing the Bax: Bcl-2/Bcl-X L ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have reported previously that LIM homeobox transcription factor 1α (LMX1A) is hypermethylated and functions as a metastasis suppressor in cervical cancer cells. However, the regulation of LMX1A in carcinogenesis has not been reported. We aim to clarify whether specificity protein 1 (Sp1) and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) are involved in the regulation of LMX1A in cervical cancer. First we characterized the LMX1A promoter and used overexpression, knockdown, and reporter assays to show that Sp1 increased LMX1A promoter activity. Next, we used site-directed mutagenesis and electrophoresis mobility shift assays (EMSAs) to demonstrate that Sp1-binding sites were important for Sp1-mediated activation of the LMX1A promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation data demonstrated that Sp1 could bind directly to the LMX1A promoter and activate endogenous LMX1A expression in cells pretreated with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC). Knockdown of EZH2 decreased H3K27me3 histone modification but was insufficient to restore LMX1A expression. To explore the effect of EZH2 on the endogenous LMX1A promoter, we treated EZH2-knockdown cells with 5-aza-dC and trichostatin A (TSA) and then depleted the cells of drugs for 3days. H3K14ac was enriched at the LMX1A promoter in EZH2-knockdown cells and LMX1A mRNA was still expressed. Taken together, these data imply that Sp1 may activate LMX1A expression upon oncogenic stress during cervical cancer development. Moreover, suppression of EZH2 may delay resilencing of LMX1A after the removal of 5-aza-dC and TSA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), systemic T cell activation, and macrophage infiltration in the kidney are implicated in the acceleration and progression of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), the most frequent type of primary glomerulonephritis. However, the pathogenic mechanism of IgAN is still little understood, and it remains a challenge to establish a specific therapeutic strategy for this type of glomerular disorder. Recently, we showed that antroquinonol (Antroq), a pure active compound from Antrodia camphorata mycelium, inhibits renal inflammation and reduces oxidative stress in a mouse model of renal fibrosis. But the anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory effects of Antroq on the acceleration and progression of primary glomerular disorders have not been determined. In this study, we show that Antroq administration substantially impeded the development of severe renal lesions, such as intense glomerular proliferation, crescents, sclerosis, and periglomerular interstitial inflammation, in mice with induced accelerated and progressive IgAN (AcP-IgAN). Further mechanistic analysis in AcP-IgAN mice showed that, early in the developmental stage of the AcP-IgAN model, Antroq promoted the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and inhibited the activation of T cells and NLRP3 inflammasome. Significantly improved proteinuria/renal function and histopathology in AcP-IgAN mice of an established stage supported potential therapeutic effects of Antroq on the disease. In addition, Antroq was shown to inhibit activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro by an IgA immune complex (IC) partly involving a reduced ROS production in IgA-IC-primed macrophages, and this finding may be helpful in the understanding of the mode of action of Antroq in the treated AcP-IgAN mice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]