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OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia is a common and serious heritable disorder of human pregnancy. Although there have been notable successes in identification of maternal susceptibility genes a large proportion of the heritability of preeclampsia remains unaccounted for. It is has been postulated that rare variation may account for some of this missing heritability. In this study, we performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in multiplex families to identify rare exonic risk variants. METHODS: We conducted WES in 244 individuals from 34 Australian/New Zealand multiplex preeclampsia families. Variants were tested for association with preeclampsia using a threshold model and logistic regression. RESULTS: We found significant association for two moderately rare missense variants, rs145743393 (Padj = 0.0032, minor allele frequency = 0.016) in the chromosome 1 open reading frame 35 (C1orf35) gene, and rs34270076 (Padj = 0.0128, minor allele frequency = 0.024) in the pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide receptor (QRFPR) gene. To replicate these associations we performed imputation in our Australian genome wide association scan for preeclampsia and found no significant exonic variants in either C1orf35 or QRFPR. However, 11 variants demonstrating nominal significance (P

This paper reports the degradation of a solution of 0.314 mM diclofenac (DCF), while using 5-15 mM Oxone as oxidizing agent with the catalytic action of 0.05-0.2 mM Co

The removal of highly concentrated pollutants, presented in a wastewater mixture from industrial tannery effluents by electrocoagulation, was examined. All experiments were carried out in a rotating cylinder electrode reactor with six aluminum anodes and two sedimentation tanks. The influence of the applied current density and rotational speed on the removal efficiency of an electrocoagulation reactor was studied. Chemical oxygen demand was diminished at 70%, while total suspended solids, chromium (III) and turbidity were almost eliminated (>90%) with 6 mA cm−2 of the applied current density. Additionally, a homogeneous cathodic deposit was obtained at the end of each test. Those cathodic deposits and flocs were analyzed by SEM-EDS. Calculations of the cell energy consumption and the produced aluminum cost were estimated for 6 mA cm−2 and 100 rpm, obtaining 1.98 kWh m−3 and $0.7 USD m−3, respectively.

Experimental variables to optimize several electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs), used to carry out the degradation of 0.15 L of the tannery dyes Violet RL and Green A, at 30, 50 and 80 mg L−1 in 0.05 M Na2SO4 of pH 3.0, have been determined from a factorial design analysis of ANOVA variance. Trials were performed with a stirred tank reactor using Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) as a working electrode. The dyes were removed via free hydroxyl radicals (O H), formed at the BDD anode from water oxidation and combined with Fenton's reaction, cathodically produced with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Factors were the current density of EAOP type, an initial dye concentration, and of dye type, i.e. violet, green and its mixtures. This research highlights the interaction between factors and its impact on the removal, kinetic behaviour and operational costs, which presents the likeness of the electrochemical/BDD-based process for the degradation of industrial dyes, established in wastewaters under suitable experimental conditions and the first kinetic loss stage. Under these conditions, close to 100 %, the color abatement was obtained.

Textile manufacturing is the one responsible for water bodies' contamination through the discharge of colored wastes. This work presents the study of reactive yellow HF (RYHF) dye degradation under two different electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOP), namely anodic oxidation (AO) and electro-Fenton (EF)/boron-doped diamond (BDD) process. For the AO, 100 and 300 mg/L solutions using Pt and BDD as anodes in a 100 mL stirred tank cell were used, with a supporting electrolyte of 0.05 mol/L of Na2SO4 at pH 3 under 30 and 50 mA/cm2 current density. The EF/BDD process was carried out in a flow reactor at 4 and 7 L/min to degrade 100, 200, and 300 mg/L RYHF solutions under 50 and 80 mA/cm2. UV-Vis determinations were used for decolorization evaluation, while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method provided information on dye degradation rate.

The mineralization of diclofenac and acetaminophen has been studied by single anodic oxidation with boron-doped diamond (AO-BDD) using an undivided electrolysis cell, by single heterogeneous catalytic photolysis with titanium dioxide (HCP-TiO) and by the combination of both advanced oxidation processes. The results show that mineralization can be obtained with either single technology. The type of functional groups of the pollutant does not influence the results of the single AO-BDD process, but it has a significant influence on the results obtained with HCP-TiO. A clear synergistic effect appears when both processes are combined showing improvements in the oxidation rate of more than 50% for diclofenac and nearly 200% for acetaminophen at the highest current exerted. Results obtained are explained in terms of the production of oxidants on the surface of BDD (primarily peroxodisulfate) and the later homogeneous catalytic light decomposition of these oxidants in the bulk. This mechanism is consistent with the larger improvement observed at higher current densities, for which the production of oxidants is promoted., La mineralización de diclofenaco y acetaminofén se ha estudiado por oxidación anódica simple con diamante dopado con boro (AO-BDD) usando una celda de electrólisis no dividida , por fotólisis catalítica heterogénea simple con dióxido de titanio (HCP-TiO) y por la combinación de ambos procesos de oxidación avanzados . Los resultados muestran que la mineralización se puede obtener con cualquiera de las dos tecnologías. El tipo de grupos funcionales del contaminante no influye en los resultados del proceso único AO-BDD, pero tiene una influencia significativa en los resultados obtenidos con HCP-TiO. Aparece un claro efecto sinérgico cuando ambos procesos se combinan mostrando mejoras en la tasa de oxidación de más del 50% para el diclofenaco y cerca del 200% para el acetaminofeno a la corriente más alta ejercida. Los resultados obtenidos se explican en términos de la producción de oxidantes en la superficie de BDD (principalmente peroxodisulfato) y la posterior descomposición ligera catalítica homogénea de estos oxidantes en la masa. Este mecanismo es consistente con la mayor mejora observada a mayores densidades de corriente, por lo que se promueve la producción de oxidantes.

Three different advanced oxidation processes, electrochemical oxidation (EO), electro-Fenton (EF) and photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) were tested for the treatment of individual and mixed solutions of Bismark Brown G, Bismark Brown R and Brown DGI dyes. The experiments were performed in a 500 mL stirred undivided cell with a 25 cm2 BDD anode, using 0.050 M Na2SO4 as electrolyte and pH 3.0. The cathodes used for the different processes were a stainless-steel plate in EO and another BDD electrode in EF and PEF. In the two latter processes, pumped air was bubbled for H2O2 generation and 0.50 mM Fe2+ was added as the Fenton's reagent. For PEF, the solution was irradiated using an UVA lamp. The oxidation power of the processes increased in the order: EO

Hierarchical microspherical-like BiOCl structure was synthesized by solvothermal method. The BiOCl was characterized by different techniques, such as: X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL); as well, the pore distribution and the surface area were determined by BET method. It was found that the conditions of synthesis employed in this work allow to obtain of microspherical-like BiOCl structure with abundant oxygen vacancies. The vacancies of the oxygen promote the photoactivity of BiOCl under sunlight. Also, the photocatalytic mechanism under sunlight was studied by trapping experiments of reactive species, where it was showed that the holes (h+) and superoxide (O2•-) are the main active species in the degradation of RO84 and ACT. As a result, microspherical-like BiOCl structure, is an exceptional photocatalyst in degradation of the RO84 and ACT under sunlight.

In this study, electro-oxidation (EOx) and in situ generation of ferrate ions [Fe(VI)] were tested to treat water contaminated with Blue BR dye (BBR) using a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode. Two electrolytic media (0.1 M HClO4 and 0.05 M Na2SO4) were evaluated for the BDD, which simultaneously produced oxygen radicals (&bull, OH) and [Fe(VI)]. The generation of [Fe(VI)] was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and the effect of different current intensity values (e.g., 7 mA cm-2, 15 mA cm-2, and 30 mA cm-2) was assessed during BBR degradation tests. The discoloration of BBR was followed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. When the EOx process was used alone, only 78% BBR discoloration was achieved. The best electrochemical discoloration conditions were found using 0.05 M Na2SO4 and 30 mA cm-2. Using these conditions, overall BBR discoloration values up to 98%, 95%, and 87% with 12 mM, 6 mM, and 1 mM of FeSO4, respectively, were achieved. In the case of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction, the EOx process showed only a 37% COD reduction, whereas combining [Fe(VI)] generation using 12 mM of FeSO4 achieved an up to 61% COD reduction after 90 minutes. The evolution of reaction byproducts (oxalic acid) was performed using liquid chromatography analysis.

In this paper, the quantification of Pb2+ and Cd2+ at trace levels was carried out by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry technique, using a paste carbon electrode modified with spent coffee grounds (SCG) as working electrode. Different percentages of SCG (40, 50, 60, 70% of SCG) were tested in the experiments; the best electrochemical response was obtained with the electrode modified with 50% of SCG. An experimental design was performed in order to maximize the intensity of the oxidation current, using the accumulation time and the reduction potential as factors. The best experimental conditions for the electrodeposition of the cadmium ions were obtained at an accumulation time of 76 s, and the reduction potential of −1115 mV; while for the electrodeposition of lead ions, the best performance was obtained at an accumulation time of 120 s and a reduction potential of −1200 mV. The detection limit of the carbon paste electrode modified with 50% of SCG were 89 and 90 μM for Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively, showing the potential of these electrodes as a viable and sustainable alternative for the determination of heavy metals in aqueous solutions.

ZnO–Ag and ZnO–Co nanohybrid materials with different Ag and Co contents were successfully prepared through a simple one-pot method at room temperature in the absence of surfactants. This synthesis route is effective and environmentally friendly and can produce spherical nanoparticles with sizes between 7 and 20 nm. The nanohybrid materials were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Their photocatalytic activity was evidenced by discoloration of the synthetic diazo dye Bismarck brown Y; ZnO–Ag nanohybrid materials had greater efficiency for decolorization of the dye compared with ZnO–Co, ZnO, and TiO2. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the ZnO–Ag nanohybrid material is due to three important aspects: (1) the oxygen vacancies present on the ZnO surface, (2) the efficient absorption of visible light due to the interaction of the semiconductor and the surface plasmon resonance of Ag, and (3) the effective separation of charges due to the formation of the Schottky barrier between ZnO and Ag, where Ag acts as an electron trap, and thereby reduces recombination. When the ZnO–Co nanohybrid is used, the addition of Co introduces intermediate energy levels between the valence and conduction bands on the semiconductor surface, which results in a recombination that reduces the photocatalytic activity, making the azo dye decolorization less efficient.

Since 1950, the fisheries industry has increased with the growth of human population. These industries produced highly loaded and brackish wastewaters. Without proper treatment, these wastewaters can severely affect water bodies. In this work, we have studied the viability of the treatment of wastewaters, generated during the evisceration process of the fish processing industry, by using synthetic wastewater made of fish viscera (Chemical Oxygen Demand, COD = 2954.17 ± 128.07 mg.L1), treated under anaerobic sludge conditions in order to work at high saline conditions. Three feeds to microorganism ratio were tested (0.274 ± 0.012, 0.129 ± 0.0055 and 0.077 ± 0.0035 gCOD.gSSV-1), in order to improve the anaerobic reactor performance. COD removal, the maximum accumulated biogas and biogas yield were measured for testing the efficacy of the anaerobic sludge. COD removal efficiencies were above 80% at the three salinities. While biogas yield was reduced, the salinity was increased from 0 to 20 g.L-1, and a high feed to microorganism ratio (0.274 ± 0.012 gCOD.gSSV-1) was used. The inhibitory effect also was observed at low F/M ratio (0.077 ± 0.0035 gCOD.gSSV-1). Although biogas yield reached acceptable values, biogas yield was reduced to 64%, when salinity was increased from 0 to 20 g.L-1. The research on the use of anaerobic sludge conditioned at high salinity shows a promising perspective for the treatment and exploitation of wastewater, generated in the evisceration of fish, revealing the need for corresponding optimization of the process, to increase the yield in the production of biogas. Research on the use of anaerobic sludge conditioned at high salinity shows a promising scenario for the treatment and exploitation of evisceration wastewater, with the corresponding optimization of the process to increase the production of biogas.

We report on the successful preparation of Fe-N codoped Titania powders, using TiO2Degussa P25, salt of Fe (II), and Urea. Modified Titania-based materials were characterized by SEM, EDS, BET, Raman, XRD diffraction and diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy measurements. The doping of TiO2 induced a shift in the absorption threshold toward the spectral range, obtaining catalysts with a greater photoactivity than the one of pure Degussa P25. The degradation of 200 mL of a solution with 50 mg L− 1acid blue BR dye in sulfate medium at pH 3.0 has been comparatively studied by electrochemical oxidation using a boron doped diamond anode (EO-BDD), Photocatalysis TiO2-Fe-N, and coupled material of EO-BDD/Photocatalysis TiO2-Fe-N. The solution was slowly degraded by EO-BDD (25%) and single Photocatalysis TiO2-Fe-N because of the low rate of dye degradation and its colored by-products with hydroxyl radicals generated at the BDD anode and catalyst surface from water oxidation (29%), whereas the solution was more rapidly degraded using coupled material of EO-BDD/Photocatalysis TiO2-Fe-N (82%), owing to the additional generation of hydroxyl radicals from the photocatalysis of TiO2-Fe-N and BDD anode. The authors thank the PRODEP Program (PRODEP-UGTO-PTC-472 and PRODEP 2015 UGTO-PTC-457) of UGTO under the Project 007/ 2015 (Convocatoria Institucional para Fortalecer la Excelencia Académica 2015), and the Project 778/2016 (Convocatoria Institucional de Apoyo a la Investigación Científica 2016-2017) is acknowledged. Authors thank Guanajuato University-CONACYT National Laboratory for SEM-EDX analysis. Financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness in projects CTM2015-69845- R and CTQ2015-66078-R (MINECO/FEDER, UE) is gratefully acknowledged. C. J. Escudero thanks CONACYT-CONCYTEG for the postgraduate research grant (230713/383108) from Mexico.

In recent years, hard research has been aimed at developing more effective technologies for the treatment of water containing persistent organic contaminants. Among various technologies, the electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) recently have played a major role in water treatment science. These processes are based on the electrochemical promotion of strong oxidants such as free hydroxyl radicals (•OH). In the present chapter, we present an exhaustive evaluation of the treatment of various pollutants by some one key EAOPs, that is, the photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) process alone and in combination with other methods such as biological treatment and electrocoagulation. The fundamentals of these EAOPs are also given.

Comparative degradation of the industrial dyes Blue BR, Violet SBL and Brown MF 50 mg L−1 has been studied by the electrochemical oxidation (EOx), electro-Fenton (EF), photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) process based on BDD electrode. Each dye was tested in 0.05 mM Na2SO4 with 0.5 mM Fe2+ at pH 3.0, and electrolyzed in a stirred tank reactor under galvanostatic conditions with 2.0, 5.0, 7.0, 11.0 and 18.0 mA cm−2. Dyes were oxidized via hydroxyl radicals ( OH) formed at the BDD anode from water oxidation coupled with Fenton's reaction cathodically produced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Under Na2SO4 medium close to 100% the decolorization was achieved. Through the color abatement rate the dyes behavior was analyzed at the beginning of the oxidation process. Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) was tested to evaluate the degradation. From DOC removal, it was established an increasing relative oxidation power of the EOx

The degradation of solutions with paracetamol and diclofenac has been studied by electro-oxidation (EOx), in a reactor with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and a stainless steel cathode. Different current densities were applying: 1.56 to 6.25 mA/cm2. Close to 50% of mineralization is always achieved due to the great concentration of •OH generated at the BDD surface under EOx, with release of NH4+ and NO3− ions. Same solutions have been comparatively treated with electro-Fenton (EF/BDD) process, improved the mineralization reached 80% of efficiency. Reversed-phase chromatography was carrying out to identify some by products that evolve under de degradation process.

Meat industries produce effluents containing high concentrations of organic and inorganic compounds, which must be removed before being discharged or reused. Advanced oxidation processes using Fenton reaction coupled with UV, solar radiation, and electrochemical oxidation are promising methods. Here, we treated the effluent from an anaerobic digester using: (a) the photoelectro-Fenton process, using a system with a Ti-RuO2 anode and a carbon felt cathode, (b) the solar photo-Fenton process, using a batch reactor and a compound parabolic collector, and (c) a combination of Fenton and solar photo-Fenton processes. The effluent had an initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 1159 mgL−1, and we obtained high removal efficiencies of COD, up to 95 %, using the combination of Fenton and solar photo-Fenton processes.

Electrochemical oxidation of the effluent of a slaughterhouse facility by electrolysis under galvanostatic control was studied using Ti-RuO 2 /carbon felt (CF), Ti-PdPtOx/CF and BDD/CF cells by electro-Fenton at constant current density. Electrode material and the applied current density are significant parameters on oxidative degradation of pollutants in wastewater. It was found that pollutants of the effluent were oxidized to simple substrates and CO 2 with different results, obtaining good removal efficiencies of chemical oxygen demand of 83.5%, 77.9% and 74.3%, for the Ti-RuO 2 /CF, Ti-PdPtOx/CF and BDD/CF systems, respectively. Trends in degradation depend on the production of hydroxyl radicals ( OH) on the anodic materials and coagulation as confirmed by this study. Efficiency of electrochemical oxidation process was tested by carrying out chemical oxygen demand (COD) determinations. Additional operating parameters such as pH, initial ferrous concentration and electrolysis time were also evaluated.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by impairments in behavior, thought, and neurocognitive performance. We searched for susceptibility loci at a quantitative trait locus (QTL) previously reported for abstraction and mental flexibility (ABF), a cognitive function often compromised in schizophrenia patients and their unaffected relatives. Exome sequences were determined for 134 samples in 8 European American families from the original linkage study, including 25 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. At chromosome 5q32–35.3, we analyzed 407 protein-altering variants for association with ABF and schizophrenia status. For replication, significant, Bonferroni-corrected findings were tested against cognitive traits in Mexican American families (n = 959), as well as interrogated for schizophrenia risk using GWAS results from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC). From the gene SYNPO, rs6579797 (MAF = 0.032) shows significant associations with ABF (P = .015) and schizophrenia (P = .040), as well as jointly (P = .0027). In the Mexican American pedigrees, rs6579797 exhibits significant associations with IQ (P = .011), indicating more global effects on neurocognition. From the PGC results, other SYNPO variants were identified with near significant effects on schizophrenia risk, with a local linkage disequilibrium block displaying signatures of positive selection. A second missense variant within the QTL, rs17551608 (MAF = 0.19) in the gene WWC1, also displays a significant effect on schizophrenia in our exome sequences (P = .038). Remarkably, the protein products of SYNPO and WWC1 are interaction partners involved in AMPA receptor trafficking, a brain process implicated in synaptic plasticity. Our study reveals variants in these genes with significant effects on neurocognition and schizophrenia risk, identifying a potential pathogenic mechanism for schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

This paper describes the results obtained in the design and characterization of a tubular electrochemical reactor. The set-up was employed for on-site hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production in an acidic medium (pH 3) to promote three electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOP): electro-Fenton (EF), photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) and photocatalysis treatment (PT). These processes were evaluated by their abilities to degrade a commercial dye, Orange-II (OGII), in solution using total organic carbon (TOC) removal and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). To have free solutions of iron in the EF and PEF systems, a NafionTM membrane with dispersed iron was prepared. For use in photocatalysis, electrodes with a large superficial area were prepared by coating carbon cloth fiber supports with titanium dioxide (TiO2) using the electrophoretic (EP) method. In this work, wastewater samples with a large number of microorganisms (coliform bacteria) were treated with this new reactor design.

Phasing, the process of predicting haplotypes from genotype data, is an important undertaking in genetics and an ongoing area of research. Phasing methods, and associated software, designed specifically for pedigrees are urgently needed. Here we present a new method for phasing genotypes from whole genome sequencing data in pedigrees: PULSAR (Phasing Using Lineage Specific Alleles / Rare variants). The method is built upon the idea that alleles that are specific to a single founding chromosome within a pedigree, which we refer to as lineage-specific alleles, are highly informative for identifying haplotypes that are identical-by-decent between individuals within a pedigree. Through extensive simulation we assess the performance of PULSAR in a variety of pedigree sizes and structures, and we explore the effects of genotyping errors and presence of non-sequenced individuals on its performance. If the genotyping error rate is sufficiently low PULSAR can phase > 99.9% of heterozygous genotypes with a switch error rate below 1 x 10-4 in pedigrees where all individuals are sequenced. We demonstrate that the method is highly accurate and consistently outperforms the long-range phasing approach used for comparison in our benchmarking. The method also holds promise for fixing genotype errors or imputing missing genotypes. The software implementation of this method is freely available.

The synthesis of four rhodium(II) paddlewheel complexes bearing axial aromatic amines and coumarin ligands, with formula [Rh2(OAc)4(L)2] (L = NH2Mesityl (1), NH2Dip (2), NH2Couma (3), coumarin (4)), prompted by microwave irradiation, was carried out successfully. All of the complexes were characterized by the melting point, elemental analysis, NMR, IR, and UV/Visible spectroscopy. Additionally, the structure of complexes 1-2 and 4 was corroborated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry, ESI-MS, and tandem MS analyses were carried out in compound 1 for gaining further insight into its stability. Finally, a DFT study shows that complexes 1–4 are the thermodynamic products, having as intermediates complexes 1′–4′ which, under our experimental conditions, cannot be isolated.

The electrochemical generation of hydrogen peroxide with boron doped diamond electrodes was experimentally investigated to assess the influence of basic operating parameters on H

© 2017 Nature America, Inc., part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved. Variation in body fat distribution contributes to the metabolic sequelae of obesity. The genetic determinants of body fat distribution are poorly understood. The goal of this study was to gain new insights into the underlying genetics of body fat distribution by conducting sample-size-weighted fixed-effects genome-wide association meta-analyses in up to 9,594 women and 8,738 men of European, African, Hispanic and Chinese ancestry, with and without sex stratification, for six traits associated with ectopic fat (hereinafter referred to as ectopic-fat traits). In total, we identified seven new loci associated with ectopic-fat traits (ATXN1, UBE2E2, EBF1, RREB1, GSDMB, GRAMD3 and ENSA; P < 5 × 10-8; false discovery rate < 1%). Functional analysis of these genes showed that loss of function of either Atxn1 or Ube2e2 in primary mouse adipose progenitor cells impaired adipocyte differentiation, suggesting physiological roles for ATXN1 and UBE2E2 in adipogenesis. Future studies are necessary to further explore the mechanisms by which these genes affect adipocyte biology and how their perturbations contribute to systemic metabolic disease.

Here, 2.5 L of solutions of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicide of pH 3.0 have been degraded by electrochemical oxidation (EO) and electro-Fenton (EF) using a recirculation flow plant equipped with a single Pt/air-diffusion or BDD/BDD cell containing electrodes of 20 cm2 area. In EO, organics were mainly oxidized by OH formed at the anode surface from water oxidation, whereas in EF they were also destroyed in the bulk by OH generated from Fenton’s reaction between added Fe2+ and H2O2 produced at the cathode. In both treatments, the use of a single BDD/BDD cell always allowed larger decontamination due to the higher ability of OH at the BDD surface to mineralize organic intermediates. The most potent EF process with this cell gave 59% mineralization with 23% efficiency and 0.42 kW h g−1 TOC specific energy after 300 min at 0.5 A. The coupling of Pt/air-diffusion and BDD/BDD cells with equal individual current in EF led to similar mineralization degree to that found for the Pt/air-diffusion one at the same total current, but in much shorter time. The effect of current on the mineralization rate, mineralization current efficiency and specific energy of each method was examined. The influence of herbicide concentration on the EF performance of the coupled cell at 2.0 A/2.0 A was also studied and 83% mineralization was obtained as maximal for 276 mg L−1 2,4-D. The herbicide decay always obeyed a pseudo-first-order reaction. A mixture of short-linear carboxylic acids was detected in all final electrolyzed solutions, which were the major organic by-products generated using the single BDD/BDD cell but formed in minor proportion in the EF processes with the Pt/air-diffusion and coupled ones.

Bipolar disorder and alcohol use disorder (AUD) have a high rate of comorbidity, more than 50% of individuals with bipolar disorder also receive a diagnosis of AUD in their lifetimes. Although both disorders are heritable, it is unclear if the same genetic factors mediate risk for bipolar disorder and AUD. We examined 733 Costa Rican individuals from 61 bipolar pedigrees. Based on a best estimate process, 32% of the sample met criteria for bipolar disorder, 17% had a lifetime AUD diagnosis, 32% met criteria for lifetime nicotine dependence, and 21% had an anxiety disorder. AUD, nicotine dependence and anxiety disorders were relatively more common among individuals with bipolar disorder than in their non-bipolar relatives. All illnesses were shown to be heritable and bipolar disorder was genetically correlated with AUD, nicotine dependence and anxiety disorders. The genetic correlation between bipolar and AUD remained when controlling for anxiety, suggesting that unique genetic factors influence the risk for comorbid bipolar and AUD independent of anxiety. Our findings provide evidence for shared genetic effects on bipolar disorder and AUD risk. Demonstrating that common genetic factors influence these independent diagnostic constructs could help to refine our diagnostic nosology.

Plasma lipidome is now increasingly recognized as a potentially important marker of chronic diseases, but the exact extent of its contribution to the interindividual phenotypic variability in family studies is unknown. Here, we used the rich data from the ongoing San Antonio Family Heart Study (SAFHS) and developed a novel statistical approach to quantify the independent and additive value of the plasma lipidome in explaining metabolic syndrome (MS) variability in Mexican American families recruited in the SAFHS. Our analytical approach included two preprocessing steps: principal components analysis of the high-resolution plasma lipidomics data and construction of a subject-subject lipidomic similarity matrix. We then used the Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines software to model the complex family relationships, lipidomic similarities, and other important covariates in a variance components framework. Our results suggested that even after accounting for the shared genetic influences, indicators of lipemic status (total serum cholesterol, TGs, and HDL cholesterol), and obesity, the plasma lipidome independently explained 22% of variability in the homeostatic model of assessment-insulin resistance trait and 16% to 22% variability in glucose, insulin, and waist circumference. Our results demonstrate that plasma lipidomic studies can additively contribute to an understanding of the interindividual variability in MS.

This study focused on the application of RSM on the Fenton process and the adsorption of vegetal carbon (VC) to obtain the optimal conditions for the minimization of the colored synthetic wastewater. Methyl orange (MO) with an azo dye was used as the model organic compound. Fenton processes were investigated to establish the optimal conditions. The Fe 2+ /H 2 O 2 ratio was studied to establish the major MO degradation when 100 and 200 mg/L of MO were treated. For the adsorption process, to determine the optimal conditions, the principal variables studied were the vegetal carbon mass dosage, degradation time and dye concentration.

Electrochemical oxidation (ECOx) of 1-hydroxy-2,4-dinitrobenzene (or 2,4-dinitrophenol: 2,4-DNP) in aqueous solutions by electrolysis under galvanostatic control was studied at Pb/PbO2, Ti/SnO2, Ti/IrxRuySnO2 and Si/BDD anodes as a function of current density applied. Oxidative degradation of 2,4-DNP has clearly shown that electrode material and the current density applied were important parameters to optimize the oxidation process. It was observed that 2,4-DNP was oxidized at few substrates to CO2 with different results, obtaining good removal efficiencies at Pb/PbO2, Ti/SnO2 and Si/BDD anodes. Trends in degradation way depend on the production of hydroxyl radicals (OH) on these anodic materials, as confirmed in this study. Furthermore, HPLC results suggested that two kinds of intermediates were generated, polyhydroxylated intermediates and carboxylic acids. The formation of these polyhydroxylated intermediates seems to be associated with the denitration step and substitution by OH radicals on aromatic rings, this being the first proposed step in the reaction mechanism. These compounds were successively oxidized, followed by the opening of aromatic rings and the formation of a series of carboxylic acids which were at the end oxidized into CO2 and H2O. On the basis of these information, a reaction scheme was proposed for each type of anode used for 2,4-D oxidation.

Comparison of tannery wastewater treatment results of electrocoagulation (EC), electro-oxidation (EOx), electro-Fenton (EF) and photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) processes using two current densities was performed and employed no only to assess the best electrochemical approach but also to have elements to suggest a combined and cost effective process. In this way, iron plates were used as the anode and cathode in the EC tests. For the EOx process, a boron-doped diamond (BDD) thin-film electrode was used as the anode, and an iron plate was employed as the cathode. For the EF and PEF treatments, both electrodes were of BDD and H2O2 was produced by O2 reduction at the cathode surface. Electrolytic trials were carried out in stirred open tank reactors containing 250 mL of wastewater applying either 65 or 111 mA cm−2. In PEF trials, the wastewater was irradiated using a 6 W UVA light source. The characterization of the sludge generated in the EC process showed that it was not dangerous for the environment. Total Organic Carbon (TOC) removal values were larger at the highest density. Higher mineralization on the other hand, was found in EF and PEF when the concentration of Fe2+ was 3.0 instead 1.0 mM. Comparison of the methods revealed that their efficiency to remove the organic pollutant increased in the order EOx < EC ∼ EF < PEF after 180 min of electrolysis. Furthermore, the information obtained from the study, also allowed designing a combined strategy aimed to produce an effluent suitable for discharge. The combination of EC followed by PEF was also studied. The results showed that the EC/PEF treatment gave higher organic removal than EC and was more economic than PEF, being able to yield 90% TOC reduction of the tannery wastewater.

The degradation of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) has been studied by electro-oxidation (EOx) and electro-Fenton/BDD (EF/BDD) using a 3-L pre-pilot plant with a BDD/BDD cell of 64 cm2 of electrode area. Electrolyses were performed with 60 mg L−1 2,4-D in 0.05 M Na2SO4 at pH 3.0, current densities between 7.8 and 31 mA cm−2, and liquid flow rates between 4 and 10 L min−1. In these electrochemical advanced oxidation processes, the main oxidants are hydroxyl radicals (•OH) formed from water oxidation at the BDD anode and/or from Fenton’s reaction between added Fe2+ and H2O2 generated at the BDD cathode. The EOx treatment at 31 mA cm−2 yielded 70 % mineralization as maximal at 160 min, which decreased at lower liquid flow rate because it was limited by the mass transport of organics toward the anode. Faster degradation was found for EF/BDD with 0.7 mM Fe2+, leading to 81–83 % of mineralization in 120 min. High current efficiency was determined at the beginning of this process, and the lowest energy cost of 95 kWh kg−1 TOC (2.0 kWh m−3) was obtained at 7.8 mA cm−2. 2,4-D was rapidly removed by EF/BDD. Four chloroaromatic products (2,4-dichlorophenol, 4,6-dichlororesorcinol, chlorohydroquinone, and chloro-p-benzoquinone) and three hydroxylated derivatives were detected by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, whereas hydroquinone and p-benzoquinone were identified by reversed-phase HPLC. A reaction sequence for the degradation of 2,4-D by EOx and EF/BDD involving all detected aromatics is proposed.

Solutions of methyl orange azo dye were degraded by electrochemical oxidation using a 3 L flow plant with a boron-doped diamond (BDD)/stainless steel cell operating at constant current density, ambient temperature and liquid flow rate of 12 L min−1. A 23 factorial design considering the applied current density, azo dye concentration and electrolysis time as variable independents was used to analyze the process by response surface methodology. LC–MS analysis revealed the formation of seven oxidation products from the cleavage of the N N group of the dye, followed by deamination, formation of a nitro group and/or desulfonation of the resulting aromatics.

In a previous work [1] , the treatment of dye solutions containing Remazol Red BR (RRB) and Novacron Blue C-D (NB) by anodic oxidation using boron doped diamond anode (BDD) demonstrated that the electrochemical treatment is an efficient alternative for removing color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) and this technology can be used for depuration of real effluents. More recently, these assumptions have been confirmed by oxidizing electrochemically a real textile effluent using BDD anode [2] . Then, as a further development of the research carried out in these previous studies [1] , [2] , in the present work, it has been considered appropriate to extend the investigation to the anodic oxidation, using BDD anode, of a specific real effluent discharged by Brazilian textile industry, adding Na2SO4 or NaCl salts in order to verify the applicability of this treatment producing in situ strong oxidant species (peroxodisulfates or active chlorine, respectively). In this study, we also attempt to discuss critical evidence about the viability of peroxodisulfates or active chlorine. Results obtained in this research clearly demonstrated that the effect of the electrogenerated strong oxidant species, peroxodisulfates or active chlorine, depends on electrocatalytic mechanism followed on BDD surface, improving the color and COD removal. However, there is a limit of NaCl for treating real effluents avoiding the formation of organochloride compounds; and it is a subject of critical importance, from the environmental point of view, to apply this alternative treatment.

We present a novel approach to detect potential cis-acting regulatory loci that combines the functional potential, an empirical DNase-seq based estimate of the allele-specificity of DNase-I hypersensitivity sites, with kernel-based variance component association analyses against expression phenotypes. To test our method we used public ENCODE whole genome DNase-I sequencing data, from a single sample, to estimate the functional potentials of the subset of 10,552 noncoding heterozygous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that were also present in the Genetic Analysis Workshop 19 (GAW19) family-based data set. We then built two covariance kernels, one nonweighted and one weighted by the functional potentials, and conducted kernel-based variance component association analyses against the 20,527 transcript expression phenotypes in the GAW19 family-based data set. We found signals of potential cis-regulatory effects, that surpassed the Bonferroni significance threshold, for ten transcripts. Stepwise removal of the cis-located SNPs from the weighted kernel lead to the disappearance of the association signal from our top transcript hit. We found compelling evidence of allele-specific cis-regulation for four transcripts using both kernels, and our results agree with previous research that suggests the involvement of specific cis-located variants in the regulation of their neighboring gene.

The degradation of 100 cm3 of a solution with 0.167 mmol dm-3 Reactive Yellow 160 (RY160) azo dye in sulfate medium of pH 3.0 has been comparatively studied by anodic oxidation with electrogenerated H2O2 (AO-H2O2), electro-Fenton (EF) and UVA photoelectro-Fenton (PEF). Trials were carried out with a stirred tank reactor equipped with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and an air-diffusion cathode for H2O2 production, upon addition of 0.50 mmol dm-3 Fe2+ as catalyst in EF and PEF. The solution was slowly decolorized by AO-H2O2 because of the low rate of reaction of the azo dye and its colored products with hydroxyl radicals generated at the BDD anode from water oxidation. The color loss was enhanced in EF by the larger oxidation ability of hydroxyl radicals produced in the bulk from Fenton's reaction between added Fe2+ and generated H2O2, whereas the solution was more rapidly decolorized by PEF owing to the additional generation of hydroxyl radicals from the photolysis of Fe(III)-hydroxy complexes by UVA light. The relative mineralization ability of the processes also increased in the sequence AO-H2O2 < EF < PEF. The PEF method was the most powerful due to the synergistic oxidation action of hydroxyl radicals and UVA irradiation, yielding 94% mineralization after 360 min at 100 mA cm-2. The influence of current density and RY160 concentration on the performance of all processes was assessed. Final carboxylic acids like maleic, fumaric, tartronic, acetic, oxalic, oxamic and formic were quantified by ion-exclusion HPLC. All these acids were totally removed by PEF, but the formation of small amounts of other highly recalcitrant products impeded the total mineralization. Chloride, sulfate, ammonium and, to a smaller extent, nitrate ions were released to the solution from the heteroatoms of the azo dye in all cases.

Progranulin (GRN) loss-of-function mutations leading to progranulin protein (PGRN) haploinsufficiency are prevalent genetic causes of frontotemporal dementia. Reports also indicated PGRN-mediated neuroprotection in models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease; thus, increasing PGRN levels is a promising therapeutic for multiple disorders. To uncover novel PGRN regulators, we linked whole-genome sequence data from 920 individuals with plasma PGRN levels and identified the prosaposin (PSAP) locus as a new locus significantly associated with plasma PGRN levels. Here we show that both PSAP reduction and overexpression lead to significantly elevated extracellular PGRN levels. Intriguingly, PSAP knockdown increases PGRN monomers, whereas PSAP overexpression increases PGRN oligomers, partly through a protein–protein interaction. PSAP-induced changes in PGRN levels and oligomerization replicate in human-derived fibroblasts obtained from a GRN mutation carrier, further supporting PSAP as a potential PGRN-related therapeutic target. Future studies should focus on addressing the relevance and cellular mechanism by which PGRN oligomeric species provide neuroprotection., Increasing progranulin (PGRN) levels is a promising approach for treating frontotemporal dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Here Nicholson et al. show that the prosaposin (PSAP) locus is associated with plasma PGRN levels and demonstrate that PSAP can alter PGRN levels and its oligomerization.

Application of an electrocoagulation process (EC) for the elimination of AB194 textile dye from synthetic and textile wastewater (effluent) contaminated with AB194 dye, was carried out using aluminum anodes at two different initial pH values. Tafel studies in the presence and absence of the dye were performed. The aluminum species formed during the electrolysis were quantified by atomic absorption, and the flocs formed in the process were analyzed by HPLC-MS. Complete removal of AB194 from 1.0 L of solution was achieved applying low densities current at initial pH values of 4.0 and 8.0. The removal of AB194 by EC was possible with a short electrolysis time, removing practically 100% of the total organic carbon content and chemical oxygen demand. The final result was completely discolored water lacking dye and organic matter. An effluent contaminated with 126 mg L(-1) AB194 dye from a Chilean textile industry was also treated by EC under optimized experimental conditions, yielding discolored water and considerably decreasing the presence of organic compounds (dye + dyeing additives), with very low concentrations of dissolved Al(3+). Analysis of flocs showed the presence of the original dye without changes in its chemical structure.

SLC30A8encodes zinc transporter 8 which is involved in packaging and release of insulin. Evidence for the association ofSLC30A8variants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is inconclusive. We interrogated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) aroundSLC30A8for association with T2D in high-risk, pedigreed individuals from extended Mexican American families. This study of 118 SNPs within 50 kb of theSLC30A8locus tested the association with eight T2D-related traits at four levels: (i) each SNP using measured genotype approach (MGA); (ii) interaction of SNPs with age and sex; (iii) combinations of SNPs using Bayesian Quantitative Trait Nucleotide (BQTN) analyses; and (iv) entire gene locus using the gene burden test. Only one SNP (rs7817754) was significantly associated with incident T2D but a summary statistic based on all T2D-related traits identified 11 novel SNPs. Three SNPs and one SNP were weakly but interactively associated with age and sex, respectively. BQTN analyses could not demonstrate any informative combination of SNPs over MGA. Lastly, gene burden test results showed that at best theSLC30A8locus could account for only 1-2% of the variability in T2D-related traits. Our results indicate a lack of association of theSLC30A8SNPs with T2D in Mexican American families.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pH (3–9) and current density (16–66 mA/cm2) on the removal of COD, color, and turbidity with electrochemical, ozonation, and combined electrochemical/ozonation processes. Regarding the electrochemical process, under optimal conditions of pH 9 and a current density of 66 mA/cm2, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced by 44% after 30 min. The ozonation treatment was found to be more effective at pH 9 and reduced 63% of the original COD after only 12.5 min of treatment. Combining the electrochemical and ozonation processes resulted in a synergy that enhanced the removal of all three contaminants (COD, color, and turbidity). A COD removal of 79% (170 mg/L) was attained after only 12.5 min and at relatively low current density. Thus, the combination of the electrochemical and ozonation processes is able to noticeably improve wastewater quality.

The electrogeneration of ferrate (FeO 4 2− ) ion at a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode from the oxidation of Fe 3+ ion formed from Fe 2+ ion as precursor in 0.1 mol dm −3 HClO 4 has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and rotating disc electrode (RDE) voltammetry. The cyclic voltammograms showed that the anodic peak related to FeO 4 2− ion generation, appearing just before water discharge with hydroxyl radical production, was controlled by a mixed process of diffusion and charge. The height of the corresponding RDE voltammetric wave was strongly inhibited with rising rotation speed. This anomalous behaviour was studied by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), which confirmed that the electrogenerated FeO 4 2− ion suffers a decomposition process to give Fe 3+ and O 2 . From the SECM analysis, it was also found a clear inhibition effect on ferrate ion generation due to the presence of high Fe 3+ concentrations in solution. The reactivity of the electrogenerated FeO 4 2− ion for the removal of organic pollutants was assessed by treating the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in 0.1 mol dm −3 HClO 4 solution. Its direct oxidation at the BDD anode produced a slow disappearance of the herbicide. The destruction of 2,4-D was accelerated under the additional oxidative action of generated FeO 4 2− ion, but yielding a low mineralization degree. HPLC measurements of the electrolyzed solutions revealed the formation of 2,4-dichlorophenol as aromatic by-product and maleic, malic, oxalic and formic acids as short chain carboxylic acids, most of which were formed more largely when FeO 4 2− ion was generated.

This work discusses the decolorization and degradation of textile azo dye solutions containing Acid Yellow 36 (AY-36) by the electro-Fenton process (EF) using an undivided electrochemical cell containing a boron doped diamond (BDD) electrode as cathode for H2O2 production. The independent parameters of current density, dye concentration, Fe2 + concentration and electrolysis time in the range of 8–23 mA/cm2, 60–80 mg/L, 0.1–0.3 mM and 10–50 min, respectively, were evaluated. Experimental data were optimized by means of a 24 factorial design and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). These results revealed that the optimal operating conditions to achieve 95.9% efficiency for dye decolorization with complete degradation were current density = 15 mA/cm2, AY-36 concentration = 80 mg/L, Fe2 + content = 0.3 mM and electrolysis time = 50 min. This was confirmed with UV–vis and HPLC assessments during the EF/BDD treatment.

A theory of aging holds that senescence is caused by a dysregulated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signal transduction network (STN). We adopted a systems genetics approach in our study of the NF-κB STN. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) was used to identify gene/gene product interactions between NF-κB and the genes in our transcriptional profiling array. Principal components factor analysis (PCFA) was performed on a sub-network of 19 genes, including two initiators of the toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway, myeloid differentiation primary response gene (88) (MyD88) and TIR (Toll/interleukin-1 receptor)-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF). TLR pathways are either MyD88-dependent or TRIF-dependent. Therefore, we also performed PCFA on a subset excluding the MyD88 transcript, and on another subset excluding two TRIF transcripts. Using linkage analysis we found that each set gave rise to at least one factor with a logarithm of the odds (LOD) score greater than 3, two on chromosome 15 at 15q12 and 15q22.2, and another two on chromosome 17 at 17p13.3 and 17q25.3. We also found several suggestive signals (2LOD score3) at 1q32.1, 1q41, 2q34, 3q23, and 7p15.3. We are currently examining potential associations with single nucleotide polymorphisms within the 1-LOD intervals of our linkage signals.

In this paper, the treatment of dye solutions containing Remazol Red BR (RRB) and Novacron Blue C-D (NB) by anodic oxidation using boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes has been investigated. Galvanostatic electrolyses of RRB and NB solutions have led to the complete decolourisation and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal at different operating conditions (current density, pH and temperature). Energy requirements for removing colour during galvanostatic electrolyses of RRB and NB synthetic solutions depend mainly on operating conditions; for example for RRB, it passes from 3.30 kWh m−3 at 20 mA cm−2 to 4.28 kWh m−3 at 60 mA cm−2 (pH = 1); 17.25 kWh m−3 at 20 mA cm−2 to 28.87 kWh m−3 at 60 mA cm−2 (pH = 4.5); 13.50 kWh m−3 at 20 mA cm−2 to 37.80 kWh m−3 at 60 mA cm−2 (pH = 8). Additionally, colour and COD removal rates were favoured when an increase on the temperature was attained, decreasing the energy consumption requirements. According to the experimental results obtained, the electrochemical oxidation process is suitable for depuration wastewaters containing these textile dyes, due to the electrocatalytic properties of BDD anode.

Independent solutions of 2.5 L of the azo dyes Acid Red (AR88) and Acid Yellow (AY9) in Na2SO4 with low contents of catalytic Fe2+ at pH 3.0 have been degraded by electro-Fenton (EF) and solar photoelectro-Fenton (SPEF) using a recirculation flow plant containing a one-compartment cell with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and an air-diffusion electrode (ADE) as cathode, each one of 20 cm2, coupled with a solar photoreactor. The EF process yields rapid decolorization, but poor total organic carbon (TOC) removal because azo dyes are oxidized with hydroxyl radicals formed at the BDD anode from water oxidation and in the bulk from Fenton's reaction between added Fe2+ and H2O2 generated at the ADE cathode, leading to persistent carboxylic acids like oxalic acid that is the major component of final electrolyzed solutions. The quick photolysis of Fe(III)-oxalate complexes by UV light of solar irradiation explains the higher oxidation power of SPEF giving almost total mineralization. The incident UV light also photodecomposes several N-derivatives favoring the release of NH4+ ion in front of NO3− ion and the loss of volatile N-compounds. The effect of current density (25–150 mA cm−2), Fe2+ concentration (up to 0.8 mM) and dye concentration (between 50 and 200 mg L−1 TOC) on the degradation rate, mineralization degree, mineralization current efficiency and specific energy cost of the SPEF treatment is examined. The application of this technology is more viable at lower current density and higher azo dye content operating at optimum 0.5 mM Fe2+, since greater efficiency and smaller specific energy cost are obtained for the mineralization process.