Iron Loading Research Articles

Absorbing oxygen carrier induces phosphorus enrichment in sludge: Preparation and screening

Phosphorus recovery from sludge is considered a feasible approach. By combining the oxygen carrier gasification technology and microwave heating, an absorbing oxygen carrier (AOC) is used in this study to successfully induce phosphorus enrichment in sludge char. The AOC, which is based on iron and supported on SiC, has been prepared via ultrasonic impregnation. The effects of preparation conditions (particle size of SiC and loading of iron) on the phosphorus enrichment characteristics, thermal reaction performance of the AOC and sludge, and the wave absorption performance of the AOC were investigated. The results show that the AOC prepared using a SiC particle size of 36 mesh and iron loading of 10% can achieve a phosphorus enrichment of 91.30% in the sludge char when the temperature of the microwave reactor is 600 °C. In the thermal reaction test, AOC can effectively increase the rate and depth of sludge gasification reaction in the medium- and high-temperature reaction stages. Iron-based is loading on the SiC surface and has a good wave absorption performance (RL = -16.28 dB; effective absorption width is 3.54 GHz). Overall, this study provides a new and effective approach for utilizing sludge.

Hydrothermally assisted synthesis of nano zero-valent iron encapsulated in biomass-derived carbon for peroxymonosulfate activation: The performance and mechanisms for efficient degradation of monochlorobenzene

A facile, green and easily-scalable method of synthesizing stable and effective nano zero-valent iron (nZVI)‑carbon composites for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation was highly desirable for in-situ groundwater remediation. This study developed a two-step hydrothermally assisted carbothermal reduction method to prepare nZVI-encapsulated carbon composite (Fe@C) using rice straw and ferric nitrate as precursors. The hydrothermal reactions were conducive to iron loading, and carbothermal temperature was crucial for the aromatization and graphitization of hydrothermal carbonaceous products, the reductive transformation of iron oxides into nZVI and the development of porous structure in composites. At carbothermal temperature of 800 °C following hydrothermal reactions, the stable Fe@C800 with nZVI encapsulated in the spherical carbon shell was obtained and exhibited the best catalytic performance for PMS activation and the degradation of monochlorobenzene (MCB) in a wide range of pH values (3−11) with removal efficiency after 120 min reaction and first-order kinetic rate constant (k1) of 98.7% and 0.087 min−1 respectively under the optimum conditions of 10 mM PMS and 0.2 g·L−1 Fe@C800. The inhibiting effects of common co-existed anions (i.e., Cl−, HCO3− and H2PO4−) and humic acid in groundwater on the removal of MCB in Fe@C800/PMS system was also investigated. Both OH-dominated radical processes and nonradical pathways involving 1O2 and surface electron transfers were accounted for PMS activation and MCB removal. The inner nZVI was protected by the carbon shell, endowing Fe@C800 with high reactivity and good reusability. Additionally, 81.2% and 73.5% of MCB removal rates were achieved in tap water and actual contaminated groundwater respectively. This study not only provided a novel strategy to synthesize highly effective and stable nZVI‑carbon composites using the agricultural biomass waste for PMS induced oxidation of organic contaminants in groundwater, but also enhanced the understanding on the activation mechanism of iron‑carbon based catalysts towards PMS.

Iron, hepcidin, and microcytosis in canine hepatocellular carcinoma.

Erythrocyte microcytosis in some dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) suggests a derangement in systemic iron. Hepcidin, the master regulator of iron, is secreted by the liver in response to interleukin 6 (IL-6) and/or bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP6) and can cause microcytosis. Pilot study to compare the quantities of hepcidin, IL-6, and BMP6 RNA molecules in archival tumoral (HCC) and adjacent peritumoral (non-HCC) hepatic tissue to determine if they are different between tissue types or associated with microcytosis. RNA was isolated from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded HCC and non-HCC tissue from seven microcytic dogs and four normocytic dogs. Digital RNA counts of hepcidin, IL-6, or BMP6, and six other iron-regulatory genes were determined using the Nanostring nCounter system. The area of blue on each section was digitally evaluated to measure the extent of Prussian blue staining objectively. Parameters were compared between HCC and non-HCC tissue and between microcytic and normocytic groups. Hepcidin was decreased, and transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) was increased in HCC tissue compared with non-HCC tissue. Non-HCC hepcidin RNA counts correlated negatively with MCV and positively with the extent of iron staining. Hepcidin expression was higher in non-HCC tissue of microcytic cases than in normocytic cases. Canine HCC cases showed relatively increased iron staining in non-HCC tissue and decreased hepcidin RNA in HCC tissue. Microcytic cases had higher hepcidin RNA in non-HCC tissue than normocytic cases. Future studies may extend these findings to protein quantification, cellular localization of RNA changes, and determining if iron loading in canine liver is a predisposing factor for HCC.

Exploratory Study of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Dose Optimization in Breast Cancer Sentinel Lymph Node Identification Using a Handheld Magnetic Probe and Iron Quantitation.

Simple SummarySentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) using super magnetic iron oxide (SPIO) and magnetic probes is expected to be a simple and safe method of detecting cancerous lymph nodes without using radioisotopes (RIs). A multicenter trial of SLNB was conducted using a handheld magnetic probe and SPIO (Rizobist®) and its non-inferiority with the conventional RI method. The quantity of iron in SLN was measured to examine the necessary dosage and administration method for sufficient SLN detection in the case of this test. Further, a clinical trial was conducted to determine the possibility of SLNB with a half-dose of SPIO (1.0 mL → 0.5 mL), and the resulting iron volume measured at that time was also examined. This study demonstrates that sufficient iron content reaches SLN even at an SPIO dose of 0.5 mL.This exploratory study compared doses of ferucarbotran, a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle, in sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) and quantified the SLN iron load by dose and localization. Eighteen females aged ≥20 years scheduled for an SLN biopsy with node-negative breast cancer were divided into two equal groups and administered either 1 mL or 0.5 mL ferucarbotran. Iron content was evaluated with a handheld magnetometer and quantification device. The average iron content was 42.8 µg (range, 1.3–95.0; 0.15% of the injected dose) and 21.9 µg (1.1–71.0; 0.16%) in the 1-mL and 0.5-mL groups, respectively (p = 0.131). The iron content of the closest SLN compared to the second SLN was 53.0 vs. 10.0 µg (19% of the injected dose) and 34.8 vs. 4.1 µg (11.1%) for the 1-mL and 0.5-mL groups, respectively (p = 0.001 for both). The magnetic field was high in both groups (average 7.30 µT and 6.00 µT in the 1-mL and 0.5-mL groups, respectively) but was not statistically significant (p = 0.918). The magnetic field and iron content were correlated (overall SLNs, p = 0.02; 1-mL, p = 0.014; 0.5-mL, p = 0.010). A 0.5-mL dose was sufficient for SLN identification. Primary and secondary SLNs could be differentiated based on iron content. Handheld magnetometers could be used to assess the SLN iron content.

Relaxivity properties of magnetoferritin: The iron loading effect

Self-assembling ferritin protein cages have been used as a template for magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle synthesis within its 8nm cavity to be explored as a potential magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent. Here in, magnetic nanocores with various iron content were successfully synthesized using recombinant human H-chain ferritin (HFn) by a controlled mineralization reaction. r1 and r2 relaxivities of the synthesized magnetoferritin nanoparticles were measured and the effect of iron loading factor on the r1 and r2 relaxivity was investigated by using a quite large range of 10 different iron loadings per protein cage (500-5000) at 90MHz and 300MHz. The sample with the highest iron loading of 5329 Fe/cage has r2 value of 165.2mM-1s-1 and r1 value of 1.98mM-1s-1 at 300MHz. This high r2 value together with a very low protein and iron concentrations (0.03-0.2mg/mL and 0.15mM, respectively) renders magnetoferritin very effective T2 contrast agents. However, r1 values were found to be smaller than literature values suggesting that magnetoferritin may not serve as T1 contrast agent in MRI. Moreover, magnetoferritin showed an increase in r2 relaxivity with the iron loadings while r1 values have not been affected by the number of Fe atoms loaded as much as r2 values. This result also sheds light on understanding the formation mechanism of iron oxide core and its contribution on relaxation in MRI.

The (Bio)Chemistry of Non-Transferrin-Bound Iron.

In healthy individuals, virtually all blood plasma iron is bound by transferrin. However, in several diseases and clinical conditions, hazardous non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI) species occur. NTBI represents a potentially toxic iron form, being a direct cause of oxidative stress in the circulating compartment and tissue iron loading. The accumulation of these species can cause cellular damage in several organs, namely, the liver, spleen, and heart. Despite its pathophysiological relevance, the chemical nature of NTBI remains elusive. This has precluded its use as a clinical biochemical marker and the development of targeted therapies. Herein, we make a critical assessment of the current knowledge of NTBI speciation. The currently accepted hypotheses suggest that NTBI is mostly iron bound to citric acid and iron bound to serum albumin, but the chemistry of this system remains fuzzy. We explore the complex chemistry of iron complexation by citric acid and its implications towards NTBI reactivity. Further, the ability of albumin to bind iron is revised and the role of protein post-translational modifications on iron binding is discussed. The characterization of the NTBI species structure may be the starting point for the development of a standardized analytical assay, the better understanding of these species’ reactivity or the identification of NTBI uptake mechanisms by different cell types, and finally, to the development of new therapies.

Poly(rC)-binding protein 1 represses ferritinophagy-mediated ferroptosis in head and neck cancer

A cytosolic iron chaperone poly(rC)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1) is a multifunctional RNA-binding protein involving gene transcription, RNA regulation, and iron loading to ferritins. PCBP1 is also known to repress autophagy, but the role of PCBP1 in ferritinophagy and ferroptosis remains unrevealed. Therefore, we examined the role of PCBP1 in ferritinophagy-mediated ferroptosis in head and neck cancer (HNC) cells. The effects of system xc– cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT) inhibitors and PCBP1 gene silencing/overexpression were tested on HNC cell lines and mouse tumor xenograft models. These effects were analyzed by assessing cell viability and death, lipid reactive oxygen species and iron production, lipid, malondialdehyde, mRNA/protein expression, and autophagy flux assays. Interaction between PCBP1 and BECN1 mRNA was also examined by luciferase and RNA-protein pull-down assays. PCBP1 gene silencing increased autophagosome generation and autophagic flux. Conversely, PCBP1 upregulation inhibited autophagy activation via direct binding to the CU-rich elements on the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of BECN1 mRNA. The internal deletion or mutation of the 3′-UTR F2 region recovered BECN1 mRNA stability repressed by PCBP1, resulting in enhanced ferritinophagy-mediated ferroptosis. Besides, PCBP1 knockdown promoted polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation by increasing ALOX15 expression. Further, excess iron accumulation caused mitochondrial dysfunction in PCBP1-suppressed cells. A ferroptosis inducer sulfasalazine significantly suppressed tumor growth in mice with the transplantation of PCBP1-silenced HNC. Our data suggest that the dual functions of PCBP1 repressing BECN1 and ALOX15 mRNAs contribute to attenuating cancer susceptibility to ferroptosis inducers.

Iron Chelators, Such as Deferasirox, When Combined With Hydroxyurea, Provide an Additional Benefit of Iron Chelation in Patients Receiving Chronic Transfusion Therapy

Red blood cell (RBC) transfusions have been established as one of the primary therapies in treating sickle cell anemia. However, they are not free of side effects, with overloading the body with iron being one of the most important. Iron chelation therapy greatly reduces the iron load of the body. In addition, hydroxyurea (HU), an oral chemotherapeutic drug also has a significant role in the treatment of the disease with beneficial effects on many of the clinical problems that arise, mainly in reducing painful crises. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of synergistic transfusion therapy and HU on the response to deferasirox (DFX) chelation therapy. Eighteen patients with sickle cell disease were divided into two groups based on their treatment, either with simple transfusions and DFX or with a combination of transfusion therapy, DFX and HU, and were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for liver iron concentration (LIC) and biochemistry. All patients completed the study. The results of the study showed improvement in serum ferritin (FER) levels and LIC after 12 months of therapy in both groups, especially in the group receiving the combination therapy with HU. In addition, there was a noteworthy improvement in serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels with serum creatinine (Cr) levels remaining stable during the study in both groups. Hydroxyurea, when combined with iron chelators such as DFX, provides an additional benefit of iron chelation in patients receiving chronic transfusion therapy.

Tetrahydrofuran aided self-assembly synthesis of nZVI@gBC composite as persulfate activator for degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol

• nZVI@gBC were synthesized by one-step carbothermal reduction method aided by Tetrahydrofuran. • The formation of graphene nano-shells greatly enhanced the stability of nZVI in the air environment. • The nZVI@gBC exhibited superior degradation performance to 2,4-DCP by activating PS. • Four active free radicals (SO 4 •− , •OH, O 2 •− and 1 O 2 ) were produced and participated in the degradation of 2,4-DCP. The defects of easy agglomeration and oxidation of nano zero valent iron (nZVI) limit its large-scale application in industry, especially in the field of environmental remediation. In this study, the iron nanoparticles encapsulated by graphene nano-shells which anchored on the surface of carbon substrate (nZVI@gBC) were synthesized by a one-step carbothermal reduction method aided by Tetrahydrofuran. When the mass ratio of carbon source to iron source is 2:3 and the carbothermic reduction temperature is 700 °C, stabilized nZVI @gBC can be successfully synthesized with a high iron loading rate of 32.5%. The multilayer graphene shell can effectively prevent the rapid passivation and agglomeration of the nZVI core, and the electronic interaction between the iron nanoparticles core and the graphene carbon shell further enhances the catalytic activity and stability of nZVI@gBC. Therefore, due to the unique structure of graphene nano-shells, nZVI@gBC can be stably stored in the air for more than 80 days. In addition, nZVI@gBC exhibited superior catalytic activity in the experiment of removing 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) in groundwater as a persulfate activator. Notably, both the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and quenching tests showed that SO 4 •− , •OH, O 2 •− and 1 O 2 were both involved in the degradation process of 2,4-DCP, and SO 4 •− were the major active species. Simultaneously, three possible degradation pathways of 2,4-DCP were deduced by GC/MS, which were caused by dechlorination, dehydrogenation or carbon–carbon bond cleavage under the attack of SO 4 •− , •OH, O 2 •− and 1 O 2 . Besides, nZVI@gBC can use the dissolved oxygen in the liquid to generate hydroxyl radicals to effectively remove 2,4-DCP without persulfate. This kind of multifunctional nZVI@gBC may become a promising iron-carbon catalyst for large-scale applications in the field of environmental remediation.

Shotgun and TMT-Labeled Proteomic Analysis of the Ovarian Proteins of an Insect Vector, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Aedes aegypti [Linnaeus in Hasselquist; yellow fever mosquito] transmits several viruses that infect millions of people each year, including Zika, dengue, yellow fever, chikungunya, and West Nile. Pathogen transmission occurs during blood feeding. Only the females blood feed as they require a bloodmeal for oogenesis; in the bloodmeal, holo-transferrin and hemoglobin provide the females with a high iron load. We are interested in the effects of the bloodmeal on the expression of iron-associated proteins in oogenesis. Previous data showed that following digestion of a bloodmeal, ovarian iron concentrations doubles by 72 hr. We have used shotgun proteomics to identify proteins expressed in Ae. aegypti ovaries at two oogenesis developmental stages following blood feeding, and tandem mass tag-labeling proteomics to quantify proteins expressed at one stage following feeding of a controlled iron diet. Our findings provide the first report of mosquito ovarian protein expression in early and late oogenesis. We identify proteins differentially expressed in the two oogenesis development stages. We establish that metal-associated proteins play an important role in Ae. aegypti oogenesis and we identify new candidate proteins that might be involved in mosquito iron metabolism. Finally, this work identified a unique second ferritin light chain subunit, the first reported in any species. The shotgun proteomic data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD005893, while the tandem mass tag-labeled proteomic data are available with identifier PXD028242.

Impregnating biochar with Fe and Cu by bioleaching for fabricating catalyst to activate H2O2.

Biochar is an excellent support material for heterogeneous catalyst in Fenton reaction. However, fabrication of heterogeneous catalyst supported by biochar normally adopts chemical impregnation which is costly and difficult in post-treatment. Here, impregnation by bioleaching driven by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans was developed. Bioleaching was particularly effective in loading iron to biochar. Iron loading amount was 225.5mg/g after 10-g biochar was treated in bioleaching containing 40-g FeSO4·7H2O for 60h. When copper was added into bioleaching, simultaneous impregnation with iron and copper could be achieved. Impregnation mechanism for iron was jarosite formation on biochar surface and adsorption for copper. For the high metal content, after pyrolysis, the final composites could activate hydrogen peroxide to decolorize dye effectively. With 15mg as-synthesized Cu-Fe@biochar containing 254.3mg/g iron and 33.4mg/g copper, 50mg/L reactive red 3BS or methylene blue could be decolorized completely in 20min in a 100-mL solution by 16-mM H2O2 at pH 2.5. Compared with existing impregnation methods, bioleaching was facile, cheap and green, and deserved more concern. KEY POINTS: • High amount of Fe is loaded to biochar uniformly as jarosite by bioleaching. • Cu is adsorbed onto biochar during bioleaching. • Synthesized Cu-Fe@biochar is an excellent photo-Fenton catalyst.

Pharmacologic Reduction of Mitochondrial Iron Triggers a Noncanonical BAX/BAK-Dependent Cell Death.

Ironomycin couples targeting of cellular metabolism with cell death by reducing mitochondrial iron, resulting in the alteration of mitochondrial metabolism and the activation of BAX/BAK. Ironomycin induces MOMP through a different mechanism to BH3 mimetics, and consequently combination therapy has marked synergy in cancers such as acute myeloid leukemia. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 587.

An Updated Overview of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Brain Iron in Movement Disorders

Brain iron load is one of the most important neuropathological hallmarks in movement disorders. Specifically, the iron provides most of the paramagnetic metal signals in the brain and its accumulation seems to play a key role, although not completely explained, in the degeneration of the basal ganglia, as well as other brain structures. Moreover, iron distribution patterns have been implicated in depicting different movement disorders. This work reviewed current literature on Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Brain Iron Detection and Quantification (MRI-BIDQ) in neurodegenerative processes underlying movement disorders.

Contribution of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance to Hematochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a disease characterized by the progressive accumulation of iron in the body. It can be primitive or secondary. It affects several organs including the heart, liver, pancreas and pituitary gland. The preponderant cardiac involvement is myocardial, related to the iron myocyte overload, causing a decrease in left ventricular distensibility. Echocardiography is the first-line examination, showing an abnormality of left ventricular filling and, later, cavitary dilatation with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Cardiac MRI is the gold standard for measuring excess iron in the myocardium in the context of hemochromatosis using the T2 * technique. It plays a major role for the diagnosis of cardiac involvement and for monitoring the chelation treatment. In this study, we report three cases of patients with hemochromatosis whose cardiac localization was confirmed or eliminated using cardiac MRI. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance has been used to assess myocardial iron deposition using the relaxation parameters T2*. Heart T2* falls with increasing iron loading. One patient had a myocardial T2* below 20 ms indicating myocardial siderosis. The others patients had a T2 *> 20 ms. The late enhancement was absent in all our patients. This study aims at detecting the myocardial iron overload using cardiac MRI. The treatment is based on bleeding in primary hemochromatosis while in secondary hemochromatosis, it is based on excretion of iron by chemical chelation.

Rapid americium separations from complex matrices using commercially available extraction chromatography resins

A method for rapid separation of americium from complex matrices by use of two commercially available extraction chromatography resins is reported. TRU resin is capable of purifying americium/lanthanides together from Group 1, Group 2 and transition metals. TRU resin tolerated high loadings of iron, aluminium, calcium sodium and potassium. TEVA resin purified americium/lanthanides by elution with ammonium thiocyanate. Decontamination factors > 20,000 were achieved within one working day. The affinity of TEVA resin for americium, curium and lanthanides as a function of ammonium thiocyanate concentration is reported. The possibility of americium/lanthanide separations on LN resin has been explored.

Trace elements and nutrients in wildfire plumes to the southeast of Australia

The unprecedented magnitude of the 2019–20 Australian fires have raised interest in the potential for fire emissions to supply vital nutrients to remote ocean regions. Fire emissions are episodic and unpredictable, making them difficult to investigate. Here we present results from continuous monitoring of the atmospheric composition at the kunanyi/Mount Wellington time-series station, in southeastern Tasmania (Australia) between 2016 and 2020. Characterization of aerosols at the station revealed a striking increase in the atmospheric loading of iron (Fe), nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+) and manganese (Mn) associated with fire events. High concentrations of mineral dust in fire-impacted aerosols evidenced that strong pyro-convective winds resulted in the erosion and entrainment of soil particles into the atmosphere alongside the fire plume. Enrichment factor (EF) analysis in aerosols suggested that soil dominated the atmospheric loading of Fe and Mn in fire emissions. Lead (Pb) enrichment in fire aerosols (EFPb > 10) was attributed to the resuspension of soil historically contaminated by leaded petrol and mining operations. Finally, atmospheric transport was showed to play a key role in decreasing concentrations of total Fe (TFe) and mineral dust while increasing the aeolian content of bioaccessible Fe (LFe), NO3− and NH4+ in the plume downwind of the fires. As future projections suggest an increase in fire activity worldwide, atmospheric time-series stations such as kunanyi/Mount Wellington are key to better understand future impacts of fire emissions on human health and natural ecosystems.

Effect of activation conditions and iron loading content on the catalytic cracking of toluene by biochar

Biochar (BC) is a catalyst carrier with a porous structure and low production cost. Herein, a Fe-loaded BC catalyst was prepared by impregnation and calcination, and use toluene to determine the removal efficiency of the catalyst. When the Fe impregnation solution mass fraction was 4%, the removal efficiency for the Fe-loaded BC catalyst was 94.1%. The amount of H2 produced by toluene catalysis is 963.22 ml, which is about three times the total amount of H2 produced by toluene self-pyrolysis and catalyst self-gasification. The effects of steam activation conditions and Fe impregnation mass fraction on the microstructure of BC were studied. The results show that the activation temperature and time can increase the BET surface area. A high concentration of steam volume and impregnation solution decreases the BET surface area. The characterizations of the catalyst before and after the toluene removal experiment shows that C–O bond plays a vital role in the removal process and micropores of BC preferentially adsorb toluene. The adsorption mechanism on BC mainly depends on n–π interaction and pore filling. The electrostatic attraction and π–π interaction on Fe-loaded BC were enhanced. Loading treatment introduces lattice oxygen and leads to increased oxygen vacancies.

Experimental Identification of the Roles of Fe, Ni and Attapulgite in Nitroreduction and Dechlorination of p-Chloronitrobenzene by Attapulgite-Supported Fe/Ni Nanoparticles.

The porous-material loading and noble-metal doping of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nFe) have been widely used as countermeasures to overcome its limitations. However, few studies focused on the experimental identification of the roles of Fe, the carrier and the doped metal in the application of nFe. In this study, the nitroreduction and dechlorination of p-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB) by attapulgite-supported Fe/Ni nanoparticles (ATP-nFe/Ni) were investigated and the roles of Fe, Ni and attapulgite were examined. The contributions of Ni are alleviating the oxidization of Fe, acting as a catalyst to trigger the conversion of H2 to H*(active hydrogen atom) and promoting electron transfer of Fe. The action mechanisms of Fe in reduction of -NO2 to -NH2 were confirmed to be electron transfer and to produce H2 via corrosion. When H2 is catalyzed to H* by Ni, the production H* leads to the nitroreduction. In additon, H* is also responsible for the dechlorination of p-CNB and its nitro-reduced product, p-chloroaniline. Another corrosion product of Fe, Fe2+, is incapable of acting in the nitroreduction and dechlorination of p-CNB. The roles of attapulgite includes providing an anoxic environment for nFe, decreasing nFe agglomeration and increasing reaction sites. The results indicate that the roles of Fe, Ni and attapulgite in nitroreduction and dechlorination of p-CNB by ATP-nFe/Ni are crucial to the application of iron-based technology.

Use of Deferasirox Film-Coated Tablets in Pediatric Patients with Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia: A Single Center Experience.

Simple SummaryThalassemia is a hereditary anemia characterized by defect in hemoglobin synthesis. Patients with severe forms of the disease require regular blood transfusions, as well as iron chelation. Available chelators have demonstrated long-term efficacy and safety, but present various limitations. A new deferasirox film-coated tablet (DFX FCT) was designed to offer a more convenient mode of administration and better tolerability. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of DFX FCT in thalassemic pediatric patients. DFX FCT proved safe for older patients, but demonstrated increased frequency of adverse events in younger patients, resulting in drug discontinuation. As for efficacy, DFX FCT succeeded in maintaining a stable iron load, though it required use of relatively high doses.Thalassemic syndromes are characterized by clinical heterogenicity. For severe disease forms, lifelong blood transfusions remain the mainstay of therapy, while iron overload monitoring and adequate chelation treatment are required in order to ensure effective disease management. Compared to previous chelators, the new deferasirox film-coated tablet (DFX FCT) is considered to offer a more convenient and well-tolerated treatment scheme, aiming at better treatment-related and patient-related outcomes. The present study’s objective was to prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of DFX FCT in children and adolescents with transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Data collected included patient demographics, hematology and biochemistry laboratory work up, magnetic resonance imaging of heart and liver for iron load, as well as ophthalmological and audiological examination prior to and a year following drug administration. Study results confirmed DFX FCT safety in older children in a manner similar to adults, but demonstrated increased frequency of adverse events in younger patients, mainly, involving liver function. With regards to efficacy, study results confirmed the preventive role of DFX FCT in iron loading of liver and heart, however, higher doses than generally recommended were required in order to ensure adequate chelation.

Elevated transferrin saturation in individuals with alcohol use disorder: Association with HFE polymorphism and alcohol withdrawal severity.

Iron loading has been consistently reported in those with alcohol use disorder (AUD), but its effect on the clinical course of the disease is not yet fully understood. Here, we conducted a cohort study to examine whether peripheral iron measures, genetic variation in HFE rs1799945 and their interaction differed between 594 inpatient participants with alcohol use disorder (AUD) undergoing detoxification and 472 healthy controls (HC). We also assessed whether HFE rs1799945 was associated with elevated peripheral iron and can serve as a predictor of withdrawal severity. AUD patients showed significantly higher serum transferrin saturation than HC. Within the AUD group, transferrin saturation significantly predicted withdrawal symptoms (CIWA-Ar) and cumulative dose of benzodiazepine treatment during the first week of detoxification, which is an indicator of withdrawal severity. HFE rs1799945 minor allele carriers showed elevated transferrin saturation compared to non-carriers, both in AUD and healthy controls. Exploratory analyses indicated that, within the AUD cohort, HFE rs1799945 predicted CIWA withdrawal scores, and this relationship was significantly mediated by transferrin saturation. We provide evidence that serum transferrin saturation predicts alcohol withdrawal severity in AUD. Moreover, our findings replicated previous studies on elevated serum transferrin saturation in AUD and an involvement of HFE rs1799945 in serum transferrin saturation levels in both AUD and healthy controls. Future studies may use transferrin saturation measures as predictors for treatment or potentially treat iron overload to ameliorate withdrawal symptoms.