Prostate cancer is the second most frequent type of cancer death in men. This study refers to the novel hyperthermia application of poloxamer-coated cobalt ferrite as a new approach for thermal eradication of DU-145 human prostate cancerous cells under a radio frequency magnetic field (RF-MF). The hydrothermal method was applied for the synthesis of cobalt ferrite nanoparticles. Then, the structure, size, and morphology of nanoparticle were characterized. The cytotoxicity of the synthesized nanoparticles and RF-MF exposure on DU-145 prostate cancer cells was investigated separately or in combination with colony formation methods and MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] assay. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the spherical morphology of nanoparticles with a size of 5.5 ± 2.6 nm. The temperature of cells treated with nanoparticles under RF-MF reached 42.73 ± 0.2°C after 15 min. RF-MF treatment or nanoparticles have not affected cell viability significantly. However, the combination of them eradicated 53% ± 4% of cancerous cells. In-vitro hyperthermia was performed on human prostate cancer cells (DU-145) with cobalt ferrite nanoparticles at specific concentrations that demonstrated a decrease in survival fraction based on colony formation assay compared to cells that were treated alone with nanoparticles or with RF-MF.

The aim of this project is to develop and evaluate the economic performance of a complete process for recovering nickel, cobalt, and rare earths (REEs) from nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery waste. The main elements contained in the battery powder are Ni (523 g/kg), La (58 g/kg), Co (39 g/kg), Zn (21 g/kg), Nd (19 g/kg), Sm (19 g/kg) and Ce (14 g/kg). Metal leaching was carried out with 2 M sulfuric acid, solubilising 100% of Ni, 93% of Co and 94% of REEs. Rare earths were precipitated with NaOH, then purified after resolubilization in nitric acid. Solvent extraction with bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) followed by bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid (Cyanex 272) was used to separate Ni and Co. At the end of the process, REEs, nickel, and cobalt were recovered as oxides after precipitation as oxalates. The REE, nickel and cobalt oxides obtained have purities of 97.6%, 97.2% and 93.2% respectively. A techno-economic study was carried out using SuperPro Designer software. In this scenario, plant capacity was set at 1.0 t of used battery powder per hour for an operating period of 8 h/d and 250 days per year. The total investment was estimated at $26.9 million, with a payback period of 1.58 years. For a 15-year life, the net present value of this project is estimated at $95.9 million, with an interest rate of 7%. The internal rate of return is estimated at 46.1%, which is considered acceptable and economically viable.

UNASSIGNED: Exposure to metals has been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) end points and mortality, yet prospective evidence is limited beyond arsenic, cadmium, and lead. In this study, we assessed the prospective association of urinary metals with incident CVD and all-cause mortality in a racially diverse population of US adults from MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis).
UNASSIGNED: We included 6599 participants (mean [SD] age, 62.1 [10.2] years; 53% female) with urinary metals available at baseline (2000 to 2001) and followed through December 2019. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio and 95% CI of CVD and all-cause mortality by baseline urinary levels of cadmium, tungsten, and uranium (nonessential metals), and cobalt, copper, and zinc (essential metals). The joint association of the 6 metals as mixture and the corresponding 10-year survival probability was calculated using Cox Elastic-Net.
UNASSIGNED: During follow-up, 1162 participants developed CVD, and 1844 participants died. In models adjusted by behavioral and clinical indicators, the HR (95% CI) for incident CVD and all-cause mortality comparing the highest with the lowest quartile were, respectively: 1.25 (1.03, 1.53) and 1.68 (1.43, 1.96) for cadmium; 1.20 (1.01, 1.42) and 1.16 (1.01, 1.33) for tungsten; 1.32 (1.08, 1.62) and 1.32 (1.12, 1.56) for uranium; 1.24 (1.03, 1.48) and 1.37 (1.19, 1.58) for cobalt; 1.42 (1.18, 1.70) and 1.50 (1.29, 1.74) for copper; and 1.21 (1.01, 1.45) and 1.38 (1.20, 1.59) for zinc. A positive linear dose-response was identified for cadmium and copper with both end points. The adjusted HRs (95% CI) for an interquartile range (IQR) increase in the mixture of these 6 urinary metals and the corresponding 10-year survival probability difference (95% CI) were 1.29 (1.11, 1.56) and -1.1% (-2.0, -0.05) for incident CVD and 1.66 (1.47, 1.91) and -2.0% (-2.6, -1.5) for all-cause mortality.
UNASSIGNED: This epidemiological study in US adults indicates that urinary metal levels are associated with increased CVD risk and mortality. These findings can inform the development of novel preventive strategies to improve cardiovascular health.

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.5) spinel nanoparticles synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal method using Co(NO3)2.6H2O and Ni(NO3)2.6H2O salts. XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and VSM analyses confirmed a cubic structure of NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.5) nanoparticles without impurities. These nanoparticles exhibit efficient Zn (II) adsorption characteristics, following Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics. The maximum adsorption capacity was measured to be 666.67 mg g-1 at pH = 7, with mechanisms involving both electrostatic attraction and cation exchange. Desorption studies indicate more than 75% Zn (II) recovery in an acidic environment (pH = 2) after three cycles. Computational analysis was used to validate the experimental results through Molecular Dynamics simulations, initially focusing on NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.5). Further exploration involved variations in x at 0.25 and 0.75 to identify the optimal Ni and Co ratio in this bivalent cation spinel ferrite. Computational analyses reveal the superior performance of NiXCo1-xFe2O4 (x = 0.75) in Zn (II) removal, supported by radial distribution analysis, VdW energy, Coulombic energy, mean square displacement (MSD), root mean square displacement (RMSD), and interaction energy. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the adsorption behavior and structural stability of NiXCo1-xFe2O4 nanoparticles, showcasing potential applications in Zn (II) removal.

As anthropogenic disturbance on deep-sea seamount ecosystems grows, there is an urgent need for a better understanding of the biodiversity and community structure in benthic ecosystems, which can vary at local and regional scales. A survey of the benthic megafauna on two adjacent deep-water seamounts in the northwestern Pacific Ocean was conducted, which are covered by cobalt-rich crusts, to assess the biodiversity patterns and dissimilarity of assemblage composition. Based on a multidisciplinary dataset generated from video recordings, multibeam bathymetry data, and near-bottom currents, environmental and spatial factors impacting the megabenthic communities were explored. Results showed that these two deep-water seamounts were dominated by hexactinellids, crinoids, and octocorals. The seamounts were able to support diverse and moderately abundant megafauna, with a total of 6436 individuals classified into 94 morphospecies. The survey covered a distance of 52.2 km across a depth range of 1421-3335 m, revealing multiple distinct megabenthic assemblages. The megabenthic communities of the two deep-water seamounts, with comparable environmental conditions, exhibited similarities in overall density, richness, and faunal lists, while dissimilarities in the relative abundance of taxa and assemblage composition. No gradual depth-related change in terms of abundance, richness, or species turnover was observed across the two seamounts, despite the statistical significance of depth in structuring the overall communities. The spatial distribution of megabenthic communities displayed a discontinuous and patchy pattern throughout the two deep-water seamounts. This patchiness was driven by the interactive effects of multiple environmental factors. Near-bottom currents and microhabitat features were the primary drivers influencing their dissimilarities in megabenthic community structure. This case study on the megabenthic community structure of two adjacent seamounts with cobalt-rich crusts can serve as an environmental baseline, providing a reference status for the conservation and management of seamount ecosystems, particularly valuable for areas being considered for deep-sea mining.

Epidemiological findings have determined the linkage of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and the morbidity of hypertension. However, the mode of action and specific contribution of PM2.5 component in the blood pressure elevation remain unclear. Platelets are critical for vascular homeostasis and thrombosis, which may be involved in the increase of blood pressure. Among 240 high-PM2.5 exposed, 318 low-PM2.5 exposed workers in a coking plant and 210 workers in the oxygen plant and cold-rolling mill enrolled in present study, both internal and external exposure characteristics were obtained, and we performed linear regression, adaptive elastic net regression, quantile g-computation and mediation analyses to analyze the relationship between urine metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals fractions with platelets indices and blood pressure indicators. We found that PM2.5 exposure leads to increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and pulse pressure (PP). Specifically, for every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, there was a 0.09 mmHg rise in PP. Additionally, one IQR increase in urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1.06 μmol/mol creatinine) was associated with a 3.43 % elevation in PP. Similarly, an IQR increment of urine cobalt (2.31 μmol/mol creatinine) was associated with a separate 1.77 % and 4.71 % elevation of SBP and PP. Notably, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) played a mediating role in the elevation of SBP and PP induced by cobalt. Our multi-pollutants results showed that PAHs and cobalt were deleterious contributors to the elevated blood pressure. These findings deepen our understanding of the cardiovascular effects associated with PM2.5 constituents, highlighting the importance of increased vigilance in monitoring and controlling the harmful components in PM2.5.

Dense multi-cationic Sm-Co-O, Sm-Ni-O, Al-Co-O, Al-Ni-O, and Al-Ni-Co-O oxide aerogels were prepared by epoxide-driven sol-gel synthesis. Catalysts for dry reformation of methane, Sm2O3/Co, Sm2O3/Ni, Al2O3/Co, Al2O3/Ni, Al2O3/Co, and Ni were prepared by reduction of aerogels with hydrogen and their catalytic activities and C-deposition during dry reformation of methane were tested. Catalytic tests showed high methane conversion (93-98%) and C-deposition (0.01-4.35 mg C/gcat.h). The highest content of C-deposits after catalytic tests was determined for Al2O3/Co and Al2O3/Ni catalysts, which was related to the formation of Al alloys with Co and Ni. A uniform distribution of Co0 and Ni0 nanoparticles (in the form of a CoNi alloy) was found only for the Al2O3/Co and Ni catalysts, which showed the highest activity as well as low C deposition.

This study addresses antibiotic pollution in global water bodies by integrating machine learning and optimization algorithms to develop a novel reverse synthesis strategy for inorganic catalysts. We meticulously analyzed data from 96 studies, ensuring quality through preprocessing steps. Employing the AdaBoost model, we achieved 90.57% accuracy in classification and an R²value of 0.93 in regression, showcasing strong predictive power. A key innovation is the Sparrow Search Algorithm (SSA), which optimizes catalyst selection and experimental setup tailored to specific antibiotics. Empirical experiments validated SSA\'s efficacy, with degradation rates of 94% for Levofloxacin and 97% for Norfloxacin, aligning closely with predictions within a 2% margin of error. This research advances theoretical understanding and offers practical applications in material science and environmental engineering, significantly enhancing catalyst design efficiency and accuracy through the fusion of advanced machine learning techniques and optimization algorithms.

OBJECTIVE: Concerns have emerged regarding elevated levels of cobalt and chromium in patients with metal-on-metal megaprostheses. This prospective study aims to identify systemic cobalt and chromium levels in metal-on-polyethylene knee and hip megaprostheses and their associations with other factors.
METHODS: 56 patients underwent knee or hip megaprosthesis surgery at 2 sarcoma centers. Serum cobalt and chromium levels were measured preoperatively and thrice within the first year using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in serum cobalt levels (1.4 ppb; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.0-3.3) was observed 1 year after knee megaprosthesis surgery compared with preoperative levels. In contrast no difference in chromium levels was observed after 1 year compared with preoperative levels (0.05 ppb; CI 0.0-0.8). An association between younger age, higher eGFR, and increased cobalt levels was observed. No significant correlations were found between ion levels and resection length or the number of modular connections.
CONCLUSIONS: We found elevated serum ion levels in metal-on-polyethylene knee megaprostheses in contrast to metal-on-polyethylene hip megaprostheses. Furthermore, a positive correlation between cobalt and chromium levels, and between cobalt and eGFR was identified, along with a negative correlation between cobalt and age. This study highlights the importance of monitoring systemic cobalt and chromium levels in patients with megaprostheses.

In this study, a high-efficiency strontium-doped hydroxyapatite (Sr-HAP) adsorbent was synthesized by a sol-gel method for removing cobaltous ions (Co(II)) from water. The effects of adsorbent dose, initial solution pH, initial Co(II) concentration and temperature on the removal performance of Co(II) were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the optimum Sr-HAP dose was 0.30 g/50 mL solution, the Sr-HAP adsorbent could effectively remove Co(II) in a wide pH range of 3-8. Increasing temperature was conducive to the adsorption, and the maximum Co(II) adsorption capacity by Sr-HAP reached 48.467 mg/g at 45 °C. The adsorption of Co(II) followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating that the Co(II) adsorption by Sr-HAP was attributed mainly to chemisorption. The isothermal adsorption results showed that at lower Co(II) equilibrium concentration, the Langmuir model fitted the data better than the Freundlich model but opposite at higher Co(II) equilibrium concentration. Therefore, the adsorption of Co(II) was a process from monolayer adsorption to multilayer adsorption with the increase of the Co(II) equilibrium concentration. The diffusion analysis of Co(II) to Sr-HAP indicated that the internal diffusion and surface adsorption were the rate-controlled steps of Co(II) adsorption. Thermodynamic study demonstrated that the Co(II) adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The mechanism study revealed that in addition to chemisorption, Sr-HAP also removed Co(II) ions from water via ion exchange and surface complexation.