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A novel hydrophilic Pb(II) ion-imprinted polymer (Pb(II)-IIP) was synthesized using lead ion as a template ion, 2-(allyl sulfur) nicotinic acid as functional monomer by precipitation polymerization method. The adsorption capacity of Pb(II)-IIP to Pb(II) was saturated at 16 min, and the adsorption process is consistent with the quasi-second-order kinetic adsorption model. The optimum adsorption capacity of Pb(II)-IIP was 29.67 mg/g, about triple than Pb(II)-NIP, and the adsorption is in accordance with the Langmuir isothermal model, which indicates that it is dominated by single layer chemical adsorption. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) data confirm that the chelate ratio of Pb(II) to 2-(allylthio) nicotinic acid is 1:2. In the presence of competing ions, the adsorption capacity of Pb(II)-IIP to Pb(II) is much larger than that of other ions, which indicates that Pb(II)-IIP is less disturbed by competitive ions. The experiment of application of practical wastewater shows that Pb(II)-IIP has a Pb(II) removal rate of 97.2% or more in practical industrial wastewater, which is in accordance with national emission standards. It is proved that Pb(II)-IIP is an effective material to remove Pb(II) in industrial wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-antibody (ab) disease and AQP4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) can co-exist with anti-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor encephalitis (NMDARe). Objectives To characterize MOG-ab disease and AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD during NMDARe. Methods We analyzed all the patients with overlapping MOG-ab disease and NMDARe (MNOS) and patients with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD and NMDARe (ANOS) in our hospital and compared those data with data from systematically review of previously published reports. Results In our cohorts, 11.9% patients with MOG-ab disease and 0.6% patients with NMOSD had overlapping NMDARe ( P < 0.01). After treatment with steroids and/or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), the median modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of the MNOS group decreased significantly during attacks associated with or without NMDARe ( P < 0.01 for both), while that of the ANOS group did not (attack: P < 0.05; attack associated with NMDARe: P > 0.05). Analyzed together with previously reported cases, 6% patients with MNOS and 40% patients with ANOS also used rituximab or cyclophosphamide after steroids and/or IVIg ( P < 0.05) during attacks associated with NMDARe. Conclusion Compared with NMOSD, MOG-ab disease may more commonly co-exist with NMDARe. MNOS patients respond better to steroids and IVIg than do ANOS patients during attacks associated with NMDARe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on uncertainty theory, this paper proposed a vehicle scheduling method considering the dynamic departure interval and vehicle configuration of electric buses (EBs). An uncertain bi-level programming model (UBPM) is established, which takes the total cost of passenger travel (CP) as the upper and total cost of EBs (CB) as the lower. A chance constrained programming model (CCPM) based on the randomness of passenger waiting time and the uncertainty of interstation running time is proposed as the upper model. With a certain confidence level of service level as constraints, the goal is to minimize the total cost of passenger travel. Then, an expected value model (EVM) based on the fluctuation of energy consumption is proposed as the lower model. Taking the number of EBs as the constraint condition, the goal was to minimize the energy consumption of EBs. Finally, a practical bus route is taken as an example to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results demonstrated that the optimal scheduling plan considering the uncertain variables can reduce the passenger travel cost. Collaborative optimization of EBs vehicle configuration can reduce energy consumption, delay, and the number of EBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We screened for viral DNA in cerebrospinal fluid samples using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to diagnose CNS viral infections. We collected CSF samples from four cases with clinically suspected viral meningoencephalitis. DNA extracted from the samples was analyzed with NGS, and the results were further validated using PCR. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) was detected in the CSF of two patients, HSV-2 and human herpes virus type 3 (HHV-3, VZV) in the CSF of two other patients separately. The number of unique reads of the identified viral genes ranged from 144 to 44205 (93.51 to 99.57 %). The coverage of identified viral genes ranged from 12 to 98 % with a depth value of 1.1 to 35, respectively. The results were further confirmed using PCR in three cases. The clinical presentation and outcomes of these four cases were consistent with the diagnostic results of NGS. NGS of CSF samples can be used as a diagnostic assay for CNS viral infection. Its further application for 'pan-viral' or even 'pan-microbial' screening of CSF might influence the diagnosis of CNS infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most common underlying tumor associated with anti-N-methyl D-aspartate-receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is ovarian teratoma. Resection of the underlying tumor may decrease exposure of autoantigen and make for faster response of immunotherapy and less relapse frequency. Similar to teratoma, expression of NMDAR in human epidermal melanocytes was suspected recently. The dense melanocytes in melanocytic nevus may serve as potential autoantigens and are prone to increase relapse frequency in the tumor-negative patients. Three patients with confirmed diagnosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis were described here. They shared common features that the screening tests for an ovarian teratoma or other tumors were all negative, while they were found to have prominent melanocytic nevi on the skin and resection of the nevi likely played a positive effect on their persistent recovery. This is a report on treatment of anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients without underlying tumor through resection of melanocytic nevi. More clinical and experimental investigations are needed to prove its validity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]