Efficient Electrosynthesis of White Phosphorus from Molten Condensed Phosphate Salts

Elemental white phosphorus (P4) is a crucial feedstock for the entire phosphorus-derived chemicals industry, spanning everything from herbicides to food additives. Currently, industrial P4 production is gated by the infrastructurally demanding reduction of phosphate rock by carbon coke in an arc furnace at temperatures of up to 1500 °C. The electrochemical reduction of phosphate salts could enable the sustainable, point-of-use manufacture of white phosphorus; however, such P4 electrosynthesis requires the rapid activation of strong P—O bonds. Herein, we show that the intrinsic oxide-accepting character of phosphoryl anhydride linkages in molten condensed phosphate salts promotes the reduction of phosphate to white phosphorus at high electron and energy efficiencies. These findings could enable an efficient, low-carbon alternative to legacy carbothermal synthesis of P4.

Protein Partitioning In A Droplet-Based Aqueous-Two Phase System Microfluidic Device

Aqueous-Two Phase Systems (ATPS) is an important tool for the separation of biological entities as proteins, membranes, enzymes, among others. On the other hand, microfluidics is an emerging technology that studies and manipulates liquids either one single phase or dispersed fluids such as droplets at the micro or smaller scales. Applications of microfluidics in different areas such as molecular biology, biochemical analysis and bioprocess have increased in the last years. In this work, we proposed a droplet-based microfluidic approach to generate ATPS systems and to observe how two model proteins, native ribonuclease A (RNase A) and its PEGylated form (PEG-RNase A), behave and partition on these systems. Using polyethylenglycol (PEG) and potasium phosphate salts as the phase-forming chemicals, we were able to form ATPS systems inside the microfluidic device as commonly performed in conventional ATPS macrosystems. Even more, formation of ATPS systems in which one of the fluids was present as a droplet was also achieved. As expected, model proteins exhibited the same behavior as they do in a macrosystem, that is, they displaced to a particular phase according to their affinity for them. When native RNase A was placed in the salt-rich phase, it remained there, and migrated from the PEG-rich phase to the former. On its part, PEGylated RNase A remained in the PEGrich phase or migrated from salt-rich phase to the PEG-rich phase. These results open the possibility for a prospect of micro bioprocess to separate interest biomolecules.

Dentin surface and hybrid layer morphological analysis after use of a copaiba oil- based dentin biomodifier

This study evaluated dentin surface and hybrid layer’s morphology, using copaíba (CO) emulsion as dentin biomodifier before traditional and self-etching adhesive, by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Ninety-six third sound molars were divided into 16 groups, according to the dentin substrate, tested substances, and the adhesive system used. The conditioned dentin surface treated with clorexidina (CHX) 2% showed phosphate salts on two dentin substrates as well as the sound conditioned or not surface treated with calcium hydroxide solution (CHS), where the mineral precipitate deposition obstructs the tubules lumen. A significant difference (p <0.0001) in dentin surface morphology was observed at the CHS group on conditioned and not conditioned sound dentin. The CO emulsion produced a regular and homogenous hybrid layer with many resin tags on both dentin surfaces, irrespective of the adhesive system used, with better performance than CHS and CHX 2% (p =0.0007) on caries-affected dentin at the self-etching group. CO emulsion showed no morphological changes on sound and caries-affected dentin and presented a regular hybrid layer, regardless of the adhesive system used. Keywords: Copaiba oleoresin; Emulsions; Dentin-bonding agents; Phytotherapy.

Autosomal Dominant Hypophosphatemic Rickets: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR) is an extremely rare form of genetic rickets caused by mutations in the fibroblast growth factor 23 gene. ADHR is characterized by hypophosphatemia secondary to isolated renal phosphate wasting. Only a few cases of ADHR have been reported in the literature to date. We describe the case of a 17-month-old girl who presented with severe failure to thrive (length: −4.08 standard deviation (SD), weight: −2.2 SD) and hypotonia. Hypophosphatemia, decreased tubular phosphate reabsorption (69%), and rachitic lesions were found. Genetic analysis showed the heterozygous variant c.536G>A (NM_020638.3:c.536G>A) in exon 3 of the FGF23 gene, leading to the diagnosis of ADHR. She was treated with phosphate salts and oral alfacalcidol. After 4 years of treatment, at 5 years of age, the patient’s ADHR resolved spontaneously. Considering the lack of knowledge regarding ADHR, we reviewed the literature to describe the features of this rare and poorly understood disease. Eleven ADHR pediatric cases have been described thus far, with cases tending to be more common in females than males. Similar to the general population, two groups of patients with ADHR can be described depending on the mutations present: patients with an R179 and R176 mutation have early-onset of disease and higher frequency of rickets, and a milder and late-onset of disease, respectively. Symptoms and disease severity may fluctuate. Spontaneous remission may occur during the pediatric age.

Management of patients with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown

Objectives To identify a safe pathway for management and treatment of patients with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. Methods Twenty-six patients with XLH (age 3.1–25.7 years) were enrolled in Pediatric Endocrine Unit; nine of them were receiving human monoclonal anti-fibroblast growth factor 23 antibody (burosumab) and 17 (pediatric patients, age 9.5–17.9 years, n=7; young-adult patients, age 20.1–25.7 years, n=10) received conventional treatment with inorganic oral phosphate salts and active vitamin D metabolites. A Covid-19 free pathway was addressed for XLH patients receiving burosumab treatment in hospital. XLH patients receiving conventional treatment were followed by phone calls, e-mails, or telemedicine. Results All XLH patients receiving burosumab continued the scheduled follow-up and treatment; none of them was infected by Covid-19. Seven XLH patients out of 17 (41%) receiving conventional treatment showed some complication related to the disease itself or its treatment: periapical abscess with gingival fistula was diagnosed in five patients (three children and two young-adults) and treated with antibiotics with complete resolution; one child showed abdominal pain due to the administration of high doses of inorganic oral phosphate salts solved by reducing the dosage, and one child had severe legs pain during deambulation after orthopedic surgery solved with common analgesics. Conclusions Covid-19 free pathway was safe and effective to manage XLH patients receiving burosumab. E-health technologies were useful methods to follow XLH patients receiving conventional treatment during Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

A bedridden young lady with hypophosphatemic rickets treated with denosumab: a case report

Background Hypophosphatemic rickets is associated with delayed walking, bone deformities, growth failure and physical dysfunction that can limit daily activities. Treatment consists of phosphate salts and calcitriol. We report a case that received denosumab with marked improvement in her condition. Case presentation A 24-year-old Yemeni female with hypophosphatemic rickets presented to an endocrinologist with severe weakness and severe pain in the extremities, she had been bedridden for the last 4 years. Bone density showed severe osteoporosis (T score of hip was − 5.0 and Z score of hip was − 5.0, T score of the spine was − 6.0 and Z score of the spine was − 6.1) so the patient was started on denosumab in addition to calcitriol and after 7months she was feeling stronger and felt she could stand assisted and was walking with assistance within 9 months and after 1.5 years of treatment she was walking unassisted. Conclusion Denosumab is an effective treatment for osteoporosis, we used it in our patient in addition to calcitriol because she had severe osteoporosis due to long standing hypophosphatemic rickets that had not been treated properly, the patient improved markedly and regained the ability to walk again after being bedridden for 4 years. It may be a drug to consider in such cases although further studies need to be done to confirm this.