Adsorption capacities of poly-γ-glutamic acid and its sodium salt for cesium removal from radioactive wastewaters

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 165
Author(s): Shigeki Sakamoto, Yoshinori Kawase
Cesium removal from radioactive wastewaters was examined using water-insoluble poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) and water-soluble sodium salt form poly-γ-L-glutamic acid (γ-PGANa) as biosorbents. The maximum adsorption capacities at equilibrium of γ-PGA and γ-PGANa for Cs were 345 mg-Cs(g-γ-PGA)⁻¹ at pH 6.0 and 290 mg-Cs(g-γ-PGANa)⁻¹ at pH 9.0, respectively. At lower pH < pKa, the carboxyl groups of γ-PGA primarily remained in the protonated form and adsorption of Cs only slightly occurred. At higher pH > pKa, the adsorption of Cs was significantly facilitated due to ionization of carboxyl groups to carboxylate ion. Adsorption of Cs at pH > 9.0 was inhibited due to the hydrolysis of Cs. The Langmuir model could successfully describe the isotherm data. For γ-PGA and γ-PGANa, the maximum adsorption capacities at equilibrium in the Langmuir model were 446 and 333 mg-Cs(g-adsorbent)⁻¹, respectively. The high adsorption capacities confirmed a potential utilization of γ-PGA and γ-PGANa for Cs removal. The adsorption of Cs by both γ-PGA and γ-PGANa attained the equilibrium within 0.5 min. The very quick equilibration is a benefit from the viewpoint of practical application. The spectra of FT-IR and XPS before and after adsorption confirmed the adsorption of Cs onto γ-PGA and γ-PGANa via electrostatic interaction with carboxylate anions.

Graphical abstract

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Distribution of radionuclides between atmosphere and ash during combustion of contaminated vegetation

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 165
Author(s): Liufang (Jenny) Zhou, Raghu Rao, Emily Corcoran, David Kelly
A series of laboratory-scale combustion tests were conducted under well-controlled conditions to measure the release of ⁹⁰Sr and ¹³⁷Cs nuclides to the atmosphere (air) from combustion of vegetation and organic soil samples contaminated with radioactivity. These vegetation and soil samples were collected from a controlled contaminated forest area within the Canadian Nuclear Laboratories – Chalk River site. The combustion products including ash and smoke particulates, along with gaseous emissions, were collected and then analyzed for ¹³⁷Cs and ⁹⁰Sr concentrations by radiometric techniques. The experimental results reveal that the releases of ⁹⁰Sr to the atmosphere (air) from combustion of vegetation are very low with most of the ⁹⁰Sr activity remaining in ash residues, even at a temperature of 800 °C. The detailed combustion experiments with surface litter and twigs, alder twigs, alder leaves, and organic soil indicate that 0.5 ± 0.1%, 0.3 ± 0.1%, 0.9 ± 0.1%, and 0.3 ± 0.1% of ⁹⁰Sr is released to the atmosphere (air), respectively. On the other hand, the releases of ¹³⁷Cs are found to be highly dependent on the combustion temperature as well as the nature of vegetation. The releases of ¹³⁷Cs obtained at 800 °C are 45 ± 7%, 77 ± 9%, 92 ± 5%, and 2.4 ± 0.5% for surface litter and twigs, alder twigs, alder leaves, and organic soil, respectively. The mechanism associated with the high release of ¹³⁷Cs at a high temperature of 800 °C was explored.



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Experimental evidence for ternary colloid-facilitated transport of Th(IV) with hematite (α-Fe2O3) colloids and Suwannee River fulvic acid

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 165
Author(s): Hilary P. Emerson, Katherine A. Hickok, Brian A. Powell
Previous field experiments have suggested colloid-facilitated transport via inorganic and organic colloids as the primary mechanism of enhanced actinide transport in the subsurface at former nuclear weapons facilities. In this work, research was guided by the hypothesis that humic substances can enhance tetravalent actinide (An(IV)) migration by coating and mobilizing natural colloids in environmental systems and increasing An(IV) sorption to colloids. This mechanism is expected to occur under relatively acidic conditions where organic matter can sorb and coat colloid surfaces and facilitate formation of ternary colloid-ligand-actinide complexes. The objective of this work was to examine Th transport through packed columns in the presence of hematite colloids and/or Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA). In the presence of SRFA, with or without hematite colloids, significant transport (>60% recovery within the effluent) of thorium occurred through quartz columns. It is notable that the SRFA contributed to increased transport of both Th and hematite colloids, while insignificant transport occurred in the absence of fulvic acid. Further, in the presence of a natural sandy sediment (as opposed to pure quartz), transport is negligible in the presence of SRFA due to interactions with natural, clay-sized sediment coatings. Moreover, this data shows that the transport of Th through quartz columns is enhanced in ternary Th-colloid-SRFA and binary Th-SRFA systems as compared to a system containing only Th.



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Dose assessment to workers in a dicalcium phosphate production plant

Publication date: December 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 165
Author(s): D. Mulas, J. Garcia-Orellana, N. Casacuberta, A. Hierro, V. Moreno, P. Masqué
The production of dicalcium phosphate (DCP) uses phosphate rock (PR) as a raw material. Sedimentary phosphate rocks are enriched with relevant concentrations of natural radionuclides from the ²³⁸U decay chain (around 10³ Bq·kg⁻¹), leading to the need of controlling potential exposures to radiation of workers and members of the public in accordance with IAEA safety standards. Indeed, phosphate industries are classified as Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) industries. Thus, the aim of this work is to assess the radiological risk of the workers in a DCP production plant located in the Iberian Peninsula (South-West Europe), which digests PR with hydrochloric acid. In the present study ²³⁸U, ²³⁰Th, ²²²Rn, ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po concentrations in aerosols (indoor and outdoor areas) are reported. Aerosols showed concentrations between 0.42–92 mBq·m⁻³ for ²³⁸U, 0.24–33 mBq·m⁻³ for ²³⁰Th, 0.67–147 mBq·m⁻³ for ²¹⁰Pb and 0.09–34 mBq·m⁻³ for ²¹⁰Po. Long-term exposure (four months) of passive ²²²Rn detectors provided concentrations that ranged from detection limit (< DL) to 121 Bq·m^-3 in outdoor areas and from < DL to 211 Bq·m⁻³ in indoor areas, similar to concentrations obtained from short-term measurements with active detectors from < DL to 117 Bq·m⁻³ in outdoor areas and from < DL to 318 Bq·m⁻³ in indoor places. ²²⁶Ra accumulation in ebonite and pipe scales were the most important contributions to the ambient dose equivalent H*(10), resulting in 0.07 (background)–27 μSv·h⁻¹ with a median value of 1.1 μSv·h⁻¹. Average ²²²Rn air concentrations were lower than the 300 Bq·m⁻³ limit and therefore, according to European Directive 2013/59/EURATOM, ²²²Rn concentration is excluded from the worker operational annual effective dose. Thus, considering the inhalation of aerosols and the external dose sources, the total effective dose determined for plant operators was 0.37 mSv·y⁻¹.



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Monteggia fracture-dislocation with intercondylar fracture of the ipsilateral humerus: a new type III Monteggia equivalent

2016-10-08T18-09-54Z
Source: The Southeast Asian Journal of Case Report and Review
Dr.Aakash Mugalur, Dr.Binoti A Sheth.
Monteggia fracture dislocations are rare but complex injuries usually involving a fracture of the ulna and dislocation of the radial head. Monteggia Fracture dislocations are associated with other concomitant injuries in the ipsilateral upper limb. However, ipsilateral distal intercondylar fracture of the humerus and Monteggia fracture dislocation in adults are very rare with only 4 cases described in literature till date. We presented an exceptionally rare case of type III Monteggia fracture dislocation with intercondylar distal humerus fracture with posterior interosseous nerve palsy. The patient was treated with open reduction and internal fixation with post operative physiotherapy. The posterior interosseous nerve palsy recovered without any operative intervention. The patient had good functional outcome with no disability. We consider it to be a type III Monteggia equivalent adding to the expanding list of equivalent lesions.


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Monteggia fracture-dislocation with intercondylar fracture of the ipsilateral humerus: a new type III Monteggia equivalent

2016-10-08T18-09-54Z
Source: The Southeast Asian Journal of Case Report and Review
Dr.Aakash Mugalur, Dr.Binoti A Sheth.
Monteggia fracture dislocations are rare but complex injuries usually involving a fracture of the ulna and dislocation of the radial head. Monteggia Fracture dislocations are associated with other concomitant injuries in the ipsilateral upper limb. However, ipsilateral distal intercondylar fracture of the humerus and Monteggia fracture dislocation in adults are very rare with only 4 cases described in literature till date. We presented an exceptionally rare case of type III Monteggia fracture dislocation with intercondylar distal humerus fracture with posterior interosseous nerve palsy. The patient was treated with open reduction and internal fixation with post operative physiotherapy. The posterior interosseous nerve palsy recovered without any operative intervention. The patient had good functional outcome with no disability. We consider it to be a type III Monteggia equivalent adding to the expanding list of equivalent lesions.


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Unintentional household poisoning due to rodenticide in a child

2016-10-08T18-09-54Z
Source: The Southeast Asian Journal of Case Report and Review
Nisreen A Rahman, Vinod A Chaudhari, Bhawana A Badhe, Kusa K Shaha.
Introduction: The household poisoning is a major problem in India, and the awareness of these poisons among the people is meager and sometimes they ignorant and careless regarding these poisons. The various types of rat killer or rodenticides used in household, and their improper usage and safety may pose serious health issues. The rat killer poisoning with phosphide, warfarin, and superwarfarin are increasing day by day. Case report: A three years old boy unintentionally consumed rat killer paste, when his mother was out of the house. He had complaints of nausea and vomiting, and he admitted in a primary health care center. Then he was referred to tertiary care center and during the treatment he developed the features of acute renal failure and hepatotoxicity due to the rat killer poison and succumbed on a second day of admission. The features of rat killer poison that is zinc phosphide were evident on thorough autopsy examination, clinical findings, and ancillary examinations. Discussion: There is a need for proper preventive and treatment strategies to reduce the number of exposures, morbidity and mortality due to household poisons including rat killer poisons. In medical practice identifying the rat killer poisoning cases, their proper management, and its medicolegal aspects are very important.


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Subcutaneous zygomycosis presenting as soft-tissue ‘tumour’ over scapula – case report and review of literature

2016-10-08T18-09-54Z
Source: The Southeast Asian Journal of Case Report and Review
Tarun Bali and Malhar N Kumar.
Subcutaneous zygomycosis due to Basidiobolus ranarum is endemic in India, especially in Southern India. This is a case report of animmunocompetent manual labourer who presented with a painless swelling overlying the left scapula. Preoperative imaging studies suggested the possibility of cavernous haemangioma. Excision biopsy was performed and gross as well as histopathological assessment showed it to be a fungal lesion (entomophthoromycosis). Culture of the affected tissue yielded B. ranarum. The patient was treated with potassium iodide and itraconazole and the lesion healed completely in 2 months.


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Adenomyoepithelioma of breast : report of a rare case

2016-10-08T18-09-54Z
Source: The Southeast Asian Journal of Case Report and Review
Dr Reena kouli.
Benign adenomyoepithelioma of the breast is a rare tumor characterized by biphasic proliferation of both an inner layer of epithelial cells and a prominent peripheral layer of myoepithelial cells. This entity may rarely progresses to a more malignant state or gives rise to metastasis. Accurate diagnosis and close follow up is essential for proper treatment of these tumors. We report a 15 year old girl who presented with large lump in the breast which was clinically mistaken for a giant fibroadenoma of breast. No nodes were palpable. On gross examination, a large lump 11x11x8 cm was noted which was well circumscribed, solid on cut section. On histopathologic examination the diagnosis of adenomyoepithelioma was made which was further supported by immunohistochemistry findings.


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Spontaneous neonatal rectal perforation: A case for primary closure.

2016-10-08T18-09-54Z
Source: The Southeast Asian Journal of Case Report and Review
Anjali Verma.
Spontaneous perforation of the gastrointestinal tract in the neonate is rare. When it occurs it usually involves the stomach or the ileocaecal region. Perforation of the rectum in the neonate is usually caused by instruments being passed into it. We are hereby reporting a rare case of idiopathic rectal perforation and was successfully managed by primary closure.


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Abnormal Joint Moment Distributions and Functional Performance During Sit-to-Stand in Femoroacetabular Impingement Patients

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a morphological abnormality of the hip joint that causes pain when performing a mechanically demanding activity of daily living such as the sit-to-stand (STS) task. Previous studies have assessed lower extremity joint mechanics during a STS task in various pathologies yet the STS task has not been studied in FAI patients.

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Predicting Functional Capacity from Measures of Muscle Mass in Postmenopausal Women

Menopause increases body fat and decrease muscle mass and strength which contribute to sarcopenia. The amount of appendicular muscle mass has been frequently used to diagnose sarcopenia. Different measures of appendicular muscle mass have been proposed. However, no studies compared the most salient measure (appendicular muscle mass corrected by body fat) of the appendicular muscle mass to physical function in postmenopausal women.

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Poster 438 Bamboo Cervical Spine and Neck Pain in a Patient with AA Amyloidosis: A Case Report

Annie Layno-Moses: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 509 U.S. Social Worker Workforce Report Card: Forecasting Nationwide Shortages

Joyce Lin: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 285 Ultrasound Guided Diaphragmatic EMG in Patient with Respiratory Decline and Pre-Existing Contralateral Diaphragm Atrophy: A Case Report

Benjamin Bonte: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 475 Acute Paraplegia Secondary to Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis in a Child with Obesity: A Case Report

Lauren Kremm: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 403 Using Item Response Theory to Determine the Ability of the Numeric Rating Scale to Accurately Discriminate Between Levels of Pain Severity in Patients with Radicular or Musculoskeletal Pain

Ryan Mattie: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 269 A Rare Case of Femoral Neuropathy Following Anterolateral Total Hip Arthroplasty

Evangeline Koutalianos: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 492 The Effect of Tablet PC Based Cognitive Training Program (Injini) for Children with Cognitive Impairment in Educational Field

Eun Jae Ko: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 456 Does Provision of Individualized Reports Showing Changes in Pain and Function after Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) Alter Decision-Making About Future ESI Use?

Janna Friedly: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 421 Bony Metastatic Prostate Cancer Imitating Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type 1: A Case Report

Luis Soliz: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 293 Pain and Weakness Due to Scurvy and Other Vitamin Deficiencies: A Case Report

Christine Chan: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 277 Maternal Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy Conveys No Added Risk to the Child During Years 0-3: A Case Report

Reza Farid: Speakers bureau - Medtronic, Speakers bureau - Mallinckrodt, Consulting fees or other remuneration (payment) - Mallinckrodt, Research study site - Mallinckrodt

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Poster 261 Treatment of Recurrent Strokes Due to Behçet’s Disease with IV Steroids and Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Case Report

Venessa Lee: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 501 Comparing WeeFIM Outcomes in Children with Developmental Disabilities to Children without Developmental Disabilities

Mary Schmidt: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 484 3D Printed Orthotic Designed for Klippel-Feil Syndrome Affected Hypoplastic Thumb: A Case Report

Brian Lee: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 465 Bilateral Hand Weakness and Atrophy in a Teenager: A Case Report

William Fredericks: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 446 A Painful Presentation of a Thoracic Epidural Arachnoid Cyst: A Case Report

Ryan Ramsook: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 429 Discrepancy Between Electrophysiologic Level and Stenosis Level in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Keewon Kim: I Have No Relevant Financial Relationships To Disclose

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Poster 411 The Impact of OnabotulinumtoxinA on Severe Headache Days: PREEMPT 24-Week Pooled Analysis

Sheena Aurora: Consulting fees or other remuneration (payment) - Allergan, eNeura, Merck, Teva, Speakers bureau - Allergan

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Autoimmune hepatitis in Japan: trends in a nationwide survey

Abstract

Background

A nationwide survey of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) patients was performed in Japan in 2015. The aims of this study were to elucidate the trends and characteristics of AIH in Japan, in addition to identifying differences in AIH between acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis.

Methods

Questionnaires about patients with AIH diagnosed from 2009 to 2013 were sent to 437 hospitals or clinics with hepatology specialists.

Results

A total of 1682 patients were enrolled. The mean age at diagnosis was 60.0 years, and 87.1 % of patients were female. Serum immunoglobulin G levels were high, peaking at 1.5–2.0 g/dL. Histological diagnoses of chronic hepatitis, acute hepatitis, and cirrhosis were seen in 79.6, 11.7, and 6.7 % of patients respectively. In addition to elevation of aminotransferase levels, the frequencies of emperipolesis and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR2 positivity were higher in patients with acute hepatitis than in those with chronic hepatitis. Approximately 80 % of patients were treated with corticosteroids, and in 97.7 % of them, their condition improved. Steroid pulse therapy was more frequently given to patients with acute hepatitis than to those with chronic hepatitis.

Conclusions

In the present nationwide survey of AIH patients in Japan, patients with acute hepatitis had clinical features different from those of patients with chronic hepatitis.

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Effectiveness of adalimumab for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in clinical practice: comparison between anti-tumour necrosis factor-naïve and non-naïve patients

Abstract

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment is focused to achieve mucosal healing, avoiding disease progression. The study aimed to evaluate the real-world effectiveness of adalimumab (ADA) in UC and to identify predictors of remission to ADA.

Methods

This cohort study used data from the ENEIDA registry. Clinical response, clinical remission, endoscopic remission, adverse events (AE), colectomy, and hospitalisations were evaluated; baseline characteristics and biological parameters were compared to determine predictors of response.

Results

We included 263 patients (87 naïve and 176 previously exposed to anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha, TNF). After 12 weeks, clinical response, clinical remission, and endoscopic remission rates were 51, 26, and 14 %, respectively. The naïve group demonstrated better response to treatment than the anti-TNF-exposed group at short-term. Clinical and endoscopic remission within 1 year of treatment was better in the naïve group (65 vs. 49 and 50 vs. 35 %, respectively). The rates of AE, dose-escalation, hospitalisations, and colectomy during the first year were higher in anti-TNF-exposed patients (40, 43, and 27 % vs. 26, 21, and 11 %, respectively). Patients with primary failure and intolerance to the first anti-TNF and severe disease were associated with worse clinical response. Primary non-response to prior anti-TNF treatment and severe disease were predictive of poorer clinical remission. Low levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and faecal calprotectin (FC) at baseline were predictors of clinical remission.

Conclusions

In clinical practice, ADA was effective in UC, especially in anti-TNF naïve patients. FC and CRP could be predictors of treatment effectiveness.

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Evaluating Disability Insurance Assistance as a Specific Intervention by Physiatrists at a Cancer Center.

Because of their expertise, physiatrists provide disability insurance assistance for cancer survivors. In this brief report, we perform a descriptive retrospective analysis of all new (354) outpatient physiatry consultations from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2013, at a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center. Disability and/or work accommodations were brought up at some point with the physiatrist during the duration of their care for 131 (37%) of 354 patients. More than 90% of the discussions took place during the first visit. Of those patients who had a documented disability/employment discussion, 58 (44.3%) of 131 patients were originally referred for disability assistance specifically, and 58 (44.3%) of 131 also had disability insurance paperwork completed by the physiatrist. Outcomes of initial physiatry disability insurance assistance were 45 (77.6%) of 58 approved/renewed, 5 (8.6%) of 58 denied, and 8 (13.8%) of 58 unknown/died during the disability application process. The median form size was 33 (SD, 25.95) items. This study is the first of its kind and provides an initial look at work-related discussions and support with disability insurance paperwork as a specific intervention provided by physiatrists at a cancer center. The results are compelling and demonstrate that physiatrists frequently provide these interventions. These interventions take considerable time and effort but are generally successful. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Task-Oriented Performance Evaluation for Assistive Robotic Manipulators: A Pilot Study.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of commercially available assistive robotic manipulators (ARMs) user interfaces and to investigate the concurrent validity and sensitivity to change with task-oriented performance evaluation tools (TO-PETs) for ARMs. Design: This was a nonblinded randomized controlled study with power-wheelchair users with upper-extremity impairments (N = 10). Participants were trained to use 2 ARMs with their respective original user interfaces (keypad and joystick) and evaluated the performance using TO-PET and the adapted Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT-ARM). Task completion time, ISO 9241-9 throughput, trajectory parameters, NASA-TLX, and questionnaires were the main outcome measurements. Concurrent validity and sensitivity were evaluated. Results: Statistical differences were found in ISO 9241-9 throughput between the 2 user interfaces for the single motion tasks and WMFT-ARM. However, there was no statistical difference found on the self-reported perceived workload and ease of use. Moderate to high correlation was found between the TO-PET and WMFT-ARM (P

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Perioperative Nerve Injury After Peripheral Nerve Block in Patients With Previous Systemic Chemotherapy.

Background and Objectives: There are multiple risk factors for developing perioperative nerve injury (PNI). Perioperative nerve injury after peripheral nerve blockade (PNB) is rare. Exposure to systemic chemotherapy may cause peripheral neuropathy, but its role as a risk factor for PNI after PNB is unknown. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of PNI in patients undergoing PNB as part of extremity surgery after prior exposure to systemic chemotherapy. Methods: All patients aged 18 years or older who received systemic chemotherapy and subsequently underwent PNB were identified. The primary outcome was defined as the presence of new or worsened PNI documented within 3 months of the procedural date. Cases of PNI were independently reviewed by 3 investigators, and the etiology of all PNI cases were categorized as possibly or unlikely related to the PNB. Results: A total of 216 PNB (165 lower extremity blocks, 51 upper extremity blocks) were performed in 186 patients previously exposed to chemotherapy; 4 cases met criteria for PNI (2.2%; 95% confidence interval, 0.8%-5.4%). One case of PNI was possibly related to PNB (0.5%; 95% confidence interval, 0.1%-3.0%) and 3 cases were unlikely related to PNB. Complete recovery occurred in 3 cases, with partial recovery occurring in 1. Conclusions: The overall incidence of PNI in this cohort (2.2%) was not different than baseline risk established in large cohort studies. Perioperative nerve injury was possibly attributable to the PNB in 0.5% of patients. However, in the absence of a control group of surgical patients who previously received systemic chemotherapy without regional anesthesia, we cannot determine whether the higher incidence of neurologic injury is secondary to the surgical procedure, the anesthetic technique, the natural progression of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, or a combination of factors and the relative contribution of each. Copyright (C) 2016 by American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.

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