Diatrizoate Research Articles

Removal of Organic Micropollutants and Microplastics via Ozonation Followed by Granular Activated Carbon Filtration

Discharge from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) can result in the emission of organic micropollutants (OMPs) and microplastics (MPs) into the aquatic environment. To prevent this harmful release, a pilot plant consisting of an ozonation followed by a granular activated carbon (GAC) filter was operated at a WWTP in Germany, and its side-effects on the concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) compounds were measured. Over 80% of OMPs and transformation products were removed during the operating time (around 6000 bed volumes) no matter the ozone dose (from around 0.1 to 0.5 mgO3/mgDOC), except for Diatrizoic acid, whose breakthrough appeared at 3500 BV. Formation of the oxidation by-product, NDMA, increased with higher ozone doses, but the concentration remained below 100 ng/L. Bromate was formed at a higher ozone dose (>0.4 mgO3/mgDOC) but at a low concentration—below 10 µg/L. The MP particles detected in the inflow (PE, SBR, PP, and PS) were effectively eliminated to a high degree, with a removal rate of at least 92%. Carbon parameters (COD, DOC, and SAC254) were removed further by the pilot plant, but to different extents. As expected, nitrate was formed during ozonation, while nitrite’s concentration decreased. Further, nitrite decreased and nitrate increased within the GAC filter, while ammonium was eliminated by at least 90%. Total P concentration decreased after the pilot, but the concentration of PO4-P increased.

Catalytic hydrodehalogenation of iodinated contrast agents in drinking water: A kinetic study

The occurrence of iodinated contrast media (ICM) in water bodies represents a significant threat for public health due to their strong biochemical stability and recalcitrance to conventional water treatment systems. In this work, the feasibility of catalytic hydrodehalogenation (HDH) for the degradation of a representative group of ICMs (iohexol (IHX), iopromide (IPR), iopamidol (IPM) and diatrizoic acid (DIA)) is investigated. Complete degradation and deiodination of the isolated ICMs (1.6·10−2 mmol L−1) was achieved in less than 30 min in the presence of 0.25 g L−1 of different precious metal catalysts (Pd/Al2O3, Rh/Al2O3 and Pt/Al2O3) under ambient conditions, closing iodine balance by >95 %. Based on the identified reaction intermediates and final products, reaction mechanisms were accordingly proposed. A sequential reaction pathway was proposed for DIA removal, while reaction mechanisms encompassing both sequential and concerted reaction steps were proposed for the non-ionic ICMs (IHX, IPR, and IPM). Subsequent kinetic models, which successfully described experimental data, were developed from the elucidated reaction mechanisms, considering all species involved in the reaction. The versatility of the process was finally demonstrated in the treatment of real aqueous matrices (surface water and tap water) spiked with the ICMs mixture, except in the case of Pt/Al2O3 which suffered deactivation due to surface poisoning by halides. For this catalyst, kinetic constants ranged from 0.31 to 0.22 min−1 in deionized water, and from 0.04 to 0.08 min−1 in surface water as the reaction matrix. Among the tested catalysts, Pd/Al2O3 showed the highest activity and stability for the removal of ICMs.

Fate and impact at molecular level of diatrizoic acid and iohexol contrast agents in Dreissena polymorpha mollusks.

Iodinated contrast media (ICMs) used in X-ray imaging for medical diagnostics are released into wastewater and then encountered in river water at concentrations ranging from several dozen to hundreds of µg/L, and even thousands of µg/L in hospital effluents. ICMs are considered as emerging pollutants as their occurrence and impact on ecosystems and the environment are poorly documented. Even if they are considered inert for humans, aquatic organisms are continuously exposed to ICMs, and their potential deleterious effects are therefore questioned as we have recently demonstrated that they enter into organisms such as the zebra mussels. To answer this question, Dreissena polymorpha were exposed to two ICMs of different osmolality, diatrizoic acid and iohexol, at an environmental concentration (100µg/L) for 21days before a depuration phase of 4days. The occurrence, fate, and impact of both ICMs in these organisms were studied using a metallomic approach. Thus, iodine as well as endogenous copper and zinc were quantified and analyzed in cytosolic extracts of digestive glands, gills, and gonads of mussels by size exclusion chromatography coupled to ICP MS. This work shows that a subcellular fractionation is necessary to distinguish variations in total element content. The cytosolic iodoprotein chromatographic pattern was consistent for the three organs and confirmed the presence of ICMs in cytosols. Additionally, this exploratory work tends to show a weak biological effect of ICMs with a substantial variation of the profile of Cu-binding proteins mostly in the gill cytosol and to a lesser extent, in the digestive gland cytosol.

The iodinated contrast agent diatrizoic acid has an impact on the metabolome of the mollusc Dreissena polymorpha

The occurrence of iodinated contrast agents (ICAs) in the aquatic environment is relatively well documented, showing that these compounds can be found at several µg/L in natural waters, and up to hundreds of µg/L in waste water treatment plants inlets. Nevertheless, only few studies address their potential impacts and fate in aquatic organisms mainly because these compounds are considered non-toxic due to their intrinsic properties. However, as aquatic organisms are continuously exposed to these compounds, they could nonetheless induce some adverse effects on aquatic populations like filter feeder organisms. To verify this, we exposed model organisms, Dreissena polymorpha mollusks, to 100 µg/L of an ICA, diatrizoic acid (DTZ), to determine the potential biological effects caused by this compound using a non-targeted metabolomic approach based on liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry. Metabolic profiles showed a slight effect of DTZ, with some metabolome variations linked to exposure. Indeed, to avoid any misinterpretation of DTZ effects, we also studied the natural evolution of the metabolome over time in unexposed mussels, showing that control mussels exhibited metabolomic changes over the exposure period. During DTZ exposure, we showed that the carnitine shuttle pathway of fatty acids and pyrimidine metabolisms were impacted, leading to dysregulation of mussels’ energy metabolism. Thus, this study demonstrates for the first time that compounds considered non-toxic like ICAs can have an impact on aquatic organisms such as bivalves by slightly modulating their metabolome.

A new perspective on contaminants as "activators": Aromatic amine groups promoted degradation of tetracycline by ferrate(VI)

Occasionally, our group found that the degradation of tetracycline by ferrate(VI) could be promoted by four co-exist contaminants, containing aromatic amines (ofloxacin, diatrizoic acid, sulfadiazine and alachlor). This study investigated the promotion of aromatic amine groups on tetracycline degradation by ferrate(VI) by using aniline as a model compound. The results implied that the presence of aniline increased the degradation rate of tetracycline by 2.76 times, and the enhancement was weakened gradually with the decrease of pH from 10 to 7.5. The generation of Fe(IV) and·OH by the reaction between ferrate(VI) and aniline was proposed to enhance the degradation of tetracycline, supported by quenching experiments, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and theoretical calculations. A positive correlation was found between the rate constant of tetracycline degradation and the electron-donating ability of the substituted amines (quantified by the Hammett substituent constants). In addition, the degradation of tetracycline was remarkably inhibited by HA and some inorganic ions such as NO3-, SO42-, Cl-, Ca2+, and Mg2+, and the inhibition also happened in the Songhua River water and the secondary effluent. The present study provided an insight into the complex oxidation process for the degradation of micropollutants containing aromatic amine by ferrate in water treatment.

Impact of contrast agents on organ dosimetry in pediatric diagnostic fluoroscopy: the voiding cystourethrogram.

ICRP Task Group 113 is developing reference values of organ and effective dose coefficients for radiography, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography imaging exams. In support of these efforts, our focus is on pediatric diagnostic fluoroscopy. Contrast agents used during clinical examinations are an important consideration of the work undertaken by the Task Group. This work demonstrates the importance of including organ contrast volume concentrations for the calculation of reference organ dose coefficients in the voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). The ICRP newborn and 15-year female reference phantoms were utilized within the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS) for the calculation of organ dose coefficients. A pediatric radiologist with over 30 years of clinical experience defined the imaging fields for a VCUG examination consistent with clinical practice. Of these, four imaging fields were selected for investigation. The transport simulations modeled an iodinated contrast solution similar to Bracco Group's 18% weight per volume, cystografin diatrizoate meglumine and typical bladder content was supplemented to make up the remainder volume. Iodinated contrast volumes of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent concentration by volume were modeled and associated dose coefficients for in-field organs were computed. Organ dose coefficients were calculated for the urinary bladder wall, colon wall, ovaries, and uterus for both female phantoms under irradiation geometries representative of a VCUG examination. Some organ dose coefficients increased with iodine volume in the bladder and other organ dose coefficients decreased as the iodine contrast volume completely filled the bladder (100%). The study results demonstrate for the newborn phantom percent differences in organ dose coefficients varied between 0-10% for the organs of interest, while they varied between 0-22% in the 15-year phantom suggesting the importance of including contrast media in Monte Carlo radiation transport simulations of the VCUG examination.&#xD.

Preparation of biomass-derived porous biochar for efficient removal of iodized X-ray contrast media in water: Adsorption performance and underlying mechanism

Hydrophilic Iodized X-ray contrast medias (ICM) are difficult to separate from water. Here, a novel porous biochar (MBC) with a high specific surface area (1435.1 m2 g−1) was prepared by one-step pyrolysis, which showed excellent adsorption capacity for Iodized X-ray contrast media, including diatrizoic acid (95.1 mg g-1), iohexol (297.8 mg g-1), and iopamidol (298.9 mg g-1). The optimal pyrolysis temperature for MBC was 700 ℃, and the ratio of sodium hydroxide to sodium carbonate was 1:3. Adsorption kinetic was well fitted by the pseudo-second-order model. Adsorption isotherm was best fitted to the Freundlich model. Adsorption thermodynamics suggested that ICM adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. Material characterizations demonstrated that good adsorption performance of MBC for ICM mainly depended on pore filling, π-π interaction. The density functional theory (DFT) showed that H-bonding between oxygen-containing functional groups on MBC and ICM further promoted adsorption. Recycling experiments showed that MBC had good reusability. The study indicated that one-step pyrolysis synthesis of alkaline substance pretreatment biochar could be a promising adsorbent for water purification.

Graphene-coated sand for enhanced water reuse: Impact on water quality and chemicals of emerging concern

This paper investigates the potential of graphene-coated sand (GCS) as an advanced filtration medium for improving water quality and mitigating chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) in treated municipal wastewater, aiming to enhance water reuse. The study utilizes three types of sand (Ottawa, masonry, and concrete) coated with graphene to assess the impact of surface morphology, particle shape, and chemical composition on coating and filtration efficiency. Additionally, sand coated with graphene and activated graphene coated sand were both tested to understand the effect of coating and activation on the filtration process. The materials were characterized using digital microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction analysis. The material's efficiency in removing turbidity, nutrients, chemical oxygen demand (COD), bacteria, and specific CECs (Aciclovir, Diatrizoic acid, Levodopa, Miconazole, Carbamazepine, Diphenhydramine, Irbesartan, Lidocaine, Losartan, and Sulfamethoxazole) was studied. Our findings indicate that GCS significantly improves water quality parameters, with notable efficiency in removing turbidity, COD (14.1 % and 69.1 % removal), and bacterial contaminants (64.9 % and 99.9 % removal). The study also highlights the material's capacity to remove challenging CECs like Sulfamethoxazole (up to 80 % removal) and Diphenhydramine (up to 90 % removal), showcasing its potential as a sustainable solution for water reuse applications. This research contributes to the field by providing a comprehensive evaluation of GCS in water treatment, suggesting its potential for removing CECs from treated municipal wastewater.

The exploration of a compound cone-beam CT contrast agent for diagnosis of human extracted cracked tooth

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the use of sodium iodide (NaI), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethyl alcohol, and ethyl acetate as cone-beam CT (CBCT) contrast agents for diagnosing cracked teeth. The optimal delay time for detecting the number of crack lines beyond the dentino-enamel junction (Nd), the number of cracks extending from the occlusal surface to the pulp cavity (Np), and the depth of the crack lines was explored. Methods14 human extracted cracked teeth were collected, 12 were used for enhanced scanning, and 2 were used for exploring the characteristic of crack lines. The teeth were scanned in 3 CBCT enhanced scanning (ES) modes: ES1 using meglumine diatrizoate (MD); ES2 using NaI and DMSO, ES3 using NaI, DMSO, ethyl alcohol and ethyl acetate. Three delay times (15mins, 30mins, and 60mins) were set for scanning. Nd, Np, and depth of crack lines were evaluated. ResultsThere were totally 24 crack lines on 12 cracked teeth. Nd was 10 in ES1 at 60mins, 24 in ES2 at 60mins and 24 in ES3 at 15mins. Np was 1 in ES1 at 60mins, 10 in ES2 at 60mins and 21 in ES3 at 60mins, and there were significantly different among them (p < 0.01). The average depth presented on ES3 was significantly deeper than ES1 and ES2 (p < 0.01). ConclusionNaI, DMSO, ethyl alcohol and ethyl acetate show potential as contrast agents for enhanced CBCT scanning in diagnosis of cracked teeth and their depth in vivo. A delay time of 15 min is necessary to confirm the existence of crack lines, while a longer delay time is required to ascertain if these crack lines extend to the pulp cavity.

Enhanced peroxymonosulfate activation for degradation of iodinated contrast media by microwave-induced bimetallic carbon-based catalysts: Insight into the synergistic mechanism between microwaves and bimetallic sites

Microwave-assisted catalytic oxidation process was a promising wastewater treatment technology for the disposal of refractory organic contaminants. Nevertheless, its practical implementation was limited by the high energy consumption of microwaves and the poor sustainable reactivity of catalysts. To address these issues, the microwave-assisted dielectric-activation double-responsive Co/Fe carbon-based catalyst (CoFe/NC-3) was used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for oxidative degradation of refractory diatrizoate (DTZ). The results showed that the DTZ was completely degraded within 6 min in the MW/CoFe/NC-3/PMS reaction system, and the degradation efficiency increased by 82.38% compared with the MW/Fe/NC/PMS system. It was attributed to the enriched active sites and prolonged redox cycling capability of the bimetallic catalysts. Moreover, microwave enhanced electron migration ability to accelerate the circulation of Fe3+/Fe2+/Fe0 and Co3+/Co2+ and generate more reactive oxygen species (ROSs) for the high-efficiency degradation of DTZ. The degradation pathways of DTZ were elucidated by LC-MS in combination with DFT calculation and the product toxicity was evaluated using ecological structure-activity relationship software (ECOSAR). The results showed that the majority of intermediate degradation products were not acute or chronic toxicity to fish, daphnia, and green algae. Overall, these results revealed that the MW/CoFe/NC-3/PMS system was a cost-effective and stable method for wastewater treatment.

Efficiency of ozonation and sulfate radical - AOP for removal of pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitors, x-ray contrast media and perfluorinated compounds from reverse osmosis concentrates

This study investigated the elimination of pharmaceuticals, corrosion inhibitors, x-ray contrast media and perfluorinated compounds from reverse osmosis concentrates during ozonation and UV/persulfate processes. Second-order rate constants for the reactions of candesartan, irbesartan, methyl-benzotriazole, and chloro‑benzotriazole with sulfate radical (SO4·−) were determined for the first time. Experiments were conducted in buffered pure water, in buffered water added with the matrix substituents chloride, carbonate, NOM, and reverse osmosis concentrate with spiked micropollutants (MP). UV/persulfate eliminated all MP to a higher extent than ozonation in RO concentrates due to the higher yield of oxidative species and photolytic degradation. Compounds with electron-rich moieties such as carbamazepine, diclofenac, metoprolol, and sulfamethoxazole were completely eliminated with small ozone doses (< 0.5 mg O3 / mg DOC) and with a small fluence (< 5000 J m−2) in UV/persulfate processes. Photosensitive compounds with high reactivity towards hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and SO4·− like the x-ray contrast media Iopamidol, Iohexol, and Amidotrizoic acid were successfully eliminated with a reasonable fluence in UV/persulfate, whereas these compounds persist in ozonation at common ozone dosages. However, much higher fluences and ozone dosages were required for the least reactive compounds like the class of benzotriazoles. Comparing the application of both oxidative processes to the RO concentrate, ozonation has the disadvantage of forming bromate. The energy input of both processes strongly depends on the target compounds to be eliminated. For the elimination of compounds such as sulfamethoxazole, ozonation is a feasible technique, whereas UV/persulfate is better suited for the elimination of recalcitrant compounds such as x-ray contrast media. In general, oxidative process treatment of RO concentrate could be applied to partly abate micropollutants before discharge.

Potential and risks of water reuse in Brandenburg (Germany) – an interdisciplinary case study

Abstract For Brandenburg, a region in Germany with increasing water shortage and drought events, water reuse can counteract competition scenarios between drinking water supply, agricultural irrigation, and industrial use. Centralized and decentralized sources for reclaimed water are found to potentially substitute 245 or 28% of irrigation water, respectively, in agriculture production in Brandenburg. For such a reuse scenario, the fate of organic micro-pollutants is examined for diatrizoate (DZA) and carbamazepine (CBZ). Retention in local sandy soil and transfer into roots and leaves of arugula are analyzed in lysimeter studies and greenhouse pot experiments. Vertical transport was found for DZA and accumulation in or on arugula roots with a root concentration factor of 1,925 ± 34% but a low bioconcentration factor due to intrinsic molecule properties. CBZ was not found to be mobile in the sandy soil but accumulates in arugula roots and leaves by factors of 70 ± 7% and 155 ± 12%, respectively. Further research on potential plant uptake and groundwater enrichment for more substances is highly recommended as well as tertiary wastewater treatment prior to water reuse.

Presentation, characteristics and management of obstructive intestinal conditions in cystic fibrosis

ObjectiveConstipation and distal intestinal obstruction syndrome (DIOS) are common gastrointestinal manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF). The primary aim was to describe the characteristics of constipation and DIOS hospitalisations in a...

Hepatic venous gas secondary to pulmonary barotrauma: rat model study.

Intrahepatic gas (IHG) is commonly observed during early postmortem examinations of humans with upper or lower airway obstructions. We conducted a study to test the hypothesis that intrapulmonary gas could retrogradely spread to the hepatic vein following pulmonary barotrauma (PB). To establish a rat model of pulmonary barotrauma, we utilized a controllable pressure-vacuum pump to apply airway pressure (40, 60, or 80mmHg). The rats were dissected directly at the end of the experiment, and histological analysis was performed through microscopic examination of the rats. Additionally, the rats were ventilated with meglumine diatrizoate under pressures of 160 and 250mmHg to observe the signal dynamic diffusion using X-ray fluoroscopy examination. Rats exhibited classical changes associated with PB, such as alveolar rupture, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, and hemorrhage, as well as IHG characterized by the presence of gas in the hepatic vein and hepatic sinusoids. Air emboli were not observed in the liver in any of the 40mmHg groups. However, they were observed in the liver in the 60 and 80mmHg groups,the amount and size of air emboli in the 80mmHg group were greater than those in the 60mmHg group (p < 0.05). The 80mmHg group presented radial grape-like bubbles in the centrilobular portion of the liver accompanied by congestion in the peripheral region of the hepatic lobule. X-ray fluoroscopy examination revealed a gradual enhancement of dynamic contrast medium signals from the lung to the inferior vena cava and then to the liver. Our findings indicate that pulmonary barotrauma can lead to the retrograde spread of intrapulmonary gas to the hepatic vein. When it is clear that no decomposition of the body has occurred, the presence of IHG serves as a novel indicator for the diagnosis of obstructive pulmonary disease or obstruction in the upper or lower airway.

Eliminating Luck and Chance in the Reactivation Process: A Systematic and Quantitative Study of the Thermal Reactivation of Activated Carbons

Increasing environmental concerns, stricter legal requirements, and a wide range of industrial applications have led to growing demand for activated carbon worldwide. The energy-intensive production of fresh activated carbon causes significant CO2 emissions and contributes to global competition for renewable carbon-based raw materials. Although (thermal) reactivation of spent activated carbon can drastically reduce the demand for fresh material, the reactivation process itself is still mostly based on experience and empirical knowledge locked into activated carbon companies. Despite the vast number of papers published in the field, practically relevant, systematic, and quantitative knowledge on the thermal reactivation process is barely available. This paper presents a simple and robust methodology for the development of a predictive model for the production of reactivated carbon with a defined product quality under energetically optimized conditions. An exhausted activated carbon sample was subjected to 26 reactivation experiments in a specially designed laboratory rotary kiln, whereas the experiments were planned and evaluated with statistical design of experiments. The influence of the reactivation conditions (heating rate, heating time, H2O/N2 volume ratio, and CO2/N2 volume ratio) on the specific surface area, energy consumption, yield, and adsorption capacity for diatrizoic acid were evaluated. The BET surface of the reactivated carbons ranged between 590 m2/g and 769 m2/g, whereas the respective fresh carbon had a BET surface of 843 m2/g. The adsorption capacity for diatrizoic acid measured as the maximum solid phase concentration qm derived from the Langmuir equation varied between 24.4 g/kg and 69.7 g/kg (fresh carbon: 59.6 g/kg). It was possible to describe the dependency of the quality criteria on different reactivation parameters using mathematical expressions, whereas the response surface methodology with nonlinear regression was applied to build the models. A reactivation experiment under statistically optimized conditions resulted in energy savings up to 65%, whereas the properties of the reactivated sample were close to the predicted values.

Efficacy of ileus tube combined with meglumine diatrizoate in treating postoperative inflammatory bowel obstruction after surgery.

Early postoperative inflammatory small bowel obstruction (EPISBO) is easy to be complicated after colorectal cancer surgery. Both intestinal obstruction catheter and meglumine can treat EPISBO. To investigate the efficacy of an intestinal obstruction tube combined with meglumine diazo in treating EPISBO of colorectal cancer. Data from 60 patients with colorectal cancer and intestinal obstruction admitted to the Proctology Department of our hospital from April 2018 to May 2022 were collected and analyzed and divided into three cohorts according to different treatment regimens. Cohort A (n = 20) received a transnasal intestinal obstruction catheter with panumglumine, and cohort B (n = 20) received a transnasal intestinal obstruction catheter with liquid paraffin. Cohort C (n = 20) received oral treatment with meglumine. The clinical efficacy, first exhaust/defecation time, length of hospital stay, gastrointestinal decompression time, relief time of abdominal pain, and relief time of abdominal distension were compared among the three cohorts. The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), serum albumin, and transferrin were compared among the three cohorts before and after treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions in the three cohorts was compared. Compared with cohort C, the successful treatment rate of cohort A was significantly higher. There were statistically significant variations in the time of first exhaust/defecation, length of hospital stays, gastrointestinal decompression time, relief time of abdominal pain, and relief time of abdominal distention among the three cohorts. Compared with cohort C, cohort A's first exhaust/defecation time, hospitalization time, gastrointestinal decompression time, abdominal pain relief time, and abdominal distension relief time was reduced (P < 0.05). After treatment, serum CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MCP-1 expression levels increased, and serum albumin and serum transferrin levels increased in the three cohorts. The serum albumin level in cohort A was higher than in cohort C. Compared with cohort B and cohort C, the serum transferrin level in cohort A increased (P < 0.05). Compared with cohort C, the total incidence of adverse reactions in cohorts A and B was significantly higher (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was similar between cohort A and cohort B. Using an ileus tube combined with meglumine diatrizoate can effectively treat postoperative inflammatory ileus obstructions after surgery colorectal cancer and improve prognosis, inflammatory response, and nutritional status.

Expression Profiles of Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Articular Cartilage of Rats Exposed to T-2 Toxin.

T-2 toxin could induce bone damage. But there is no specific mechanism about the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) involved in T-2 toxin-induced articular cartilage injury. In this study, 24 SD rats were randomly divided into a control group and a T-2 group, which were administered 4% absolute ethanol and 100 ng/g · bw/day of T-2 toxin, respectively. After treatment for 4 weeks, safranin O/fast green staining identified the pathological changes in the articular cartilage of rats, and immunofluorescence verified the autophagy level increase in the T-2 group. Total RNA was isolated, and high-throughput sequencing was performed. A total of 620 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs) were identified, and 326 target genes were predicted. Enrichment analyses showed that the target genes of DE-lncRNAs were enriched in the autophagy-related biological processes and pathways. According to the autophagy database, a total of 23 autophagy-related genes were identified, and five hub genes (Foxo3, Foxo1, Stk11, Hdac4, and Rela) were screened using the Maximal Clique Centrality algorithm. The Human Protein Atlas database indicated that Rela and Hdac4 proteins were highly expressed in the bone marrow tissue, while Foxo3, Foxo1, and Stk11 proteins were reduced. According to Enrichr, etoposide and diatrizoic acid were identified as the key drugs. The real-time quantitative PCR results were consistent with the RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) results. These results suggested that autophagy was involved in the rat articular cartilage lesions induced by T-2 toxin. The lncRNAs of NONRATG014223.2, NONRATG012484.2, NONRATG021591.2, NONRATG024691.2, and NONRATG002808.2, and their target genes of Foxo3, Foxo1, Stk11, Hdac4, and Rela, respectively, were the key regulator factors of autophagy.

Catalysis of cupric and cuprous oxides in copper pipes on the diatrizoate transformation with peroxymonosulfate as a disinfectant

Cupric and cuprous oxides (CuO and Cu2O) are the main corrosion products of copper pipes; peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is a good drinking water disinfectant; micropollutants are ubiquitous in the factory waters. Corrosion products influence the micropollutant transformation under the action of disinfectants. This study compared the conversion of diatrizoate (DTZ) with PMS as a disinfectant under the catalysis of CuO (Cu(II)PS) and Cu2O (Cu(I)PS). The pseudo-first-order constant (kobs) for the DTZ degradation in the Cu(II)PS was 11.8 times that in the Cu(I)PS, with values of 0.092 and 0.0078 min−1, respectively. SO4− and HO played dominant roles in the Cu(II)PS, while O2− and 1O2 were the primary contributors in the Cu(I)PS. The yield ratio of reactive species were 92.8% and 69.6% in the Cu(II)PS and Cu(I)PS, respectively. The DTZ degradation was promoted by the increase of CuO dose, while inhibited by the increase of Cu2O dose (0.1–1.0 g L−1). In both Cu(II)PS and Cu(I)PS, the DTZ degradation was enhanced by the increasing PMS dose (10–100 mg L−1) and neutral pH (7.0), whereas weakened by water matrix (NOM, HCO3− and Cl−). The total organic iodine was mainly converted to IO3− with a ratio of 45.3 and 7.4% in the Cu(II)PS and Cu(I)PS, respectively. In the Cu(II)PS, the DTZ transformation was mainly through the amide hydrolysis followed by amino oxidation and stepwise deiodination followed by hydroxyl addition. However, hydroxyl addition is not thought to occur in the Cu(I)PS since the related intermediates have not been identified. The study helps to comprehensively understand the conversion of iodine-containing micropollutants in copper pipes when PMS is a disinfectant.

Toward decentralized wastewater treatment: A flow-through module using microtubular gas diffusion electrodes for micropollutants removal

Electro-Fenton (EF) represents an eco-friendly and cost-effective advanced oxidation process that can remove highly persistent and hazardous pharmaceuticals, e.g., contrast media agents, from water bodies. However, up to date, EF modules incorporate a planar carbonaceous gas diffusion electrode (GDE) cathode containing fluorinated compounds as polymeric binders. Here, we introduce a novel flow-through module that deploys freestanding carbon microtubes (CMT) as microtubular GDEs, omitting any risks of secondary pollution by highly-persistent fluorinated compounds (e.g., Nafion). The flow-through module was characterized for electrochemical hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation and micropollutant removal via EF. H2O2 electro-generation experiments illustrated high production rates (1.1 ± 0.1–2.7 ± 0.1 mg cm−2 h−1) at an applied cathodic potential of − 0.6 V vs. SHE, depending on the porosity of CMTs. Diatrizoate (DTZ), as the model pollutant, with a high initial concentration of 100 mg L−1 was successfully oxidized (95–100 %), reaching mineralization (TOC—total organic carbon removal) efficiencies up to 69 %. Additionally, Electro-adsorption experiments demonstrated the capability of positively charged CMTs to remove negatively charged DTZ with a capacity of 11 mg g−1 from a 10 mg L−1 DTZ solution. These results reveal the potential of the as-designed module to serve as an oxidation unit coupled with other separation techniques, e.g., electro-adsorption or membrane processes.

Crystal structure of meglumine diatrizoate, (C7H18NO5)(C11H8I3N2O4)

The crystal structure of meglumine diatrizoate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Meglumine diatrizoate crystallizes in space group P21 (#4) with a = 10.74697(4), b = 6.49364(2), c = 18.52774(7) Å, β = 90.2263(3), V = 1292.985(5) Å3, and Z = 2. Two different crystal structures, which yielded essentially identical refinement residuals and positions of the non-H atoms, were obtained. The differences were in the H atom positions and the hydrogen bonding. One structure was 123.0 kJ/mol/cell lower in energy than the other and was adopted for the final description. The crystal structure consists of alternating double layers of cations and anions along the c-axis. The hydrogen bonds link the cations and anions into a three-dimensional framework. Each of the hydrogen atoms on the ammonium nitrogen of the cation acts as a donor in a strong N–H⋯O hydrogen bond. One of these is to a hydroxyl group of another cation, and the other is to the carboxylate group of the anion. Each of the amide nitrogen atoms of the anion forms a strong N–H⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bond, one to a carbonyl and the other to a carboxylate group. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).