A pilot-scale research on purification of odorous gas emitted from wastewater treatment plant using a biofilter was conducted. The aim of this study is to check on the performance of biofilter running in various conditions and the effect of pH fluctuations on the performance of biofilter. The relation between distribution of microorganism and removal of odorous gases were also discussed here. The experimental results show that the predominant odor-causing gas can be efficiently eliminated by a biofilter inoculated with deodoring microorganism which were isolated previously. Moreover the biofilter had been proved having good tolerance to shocking loads of pollutant and can operate well in the condition of low pH.

Objective To induce mouse embryonic stem(ES)cells to differentiate into insulin-secreting cells by means of a 5-step model system.Methods E14.1 mouse ES cells were cultured in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF)for 2 days(step 1),then the cells were cultured in hanging drops to form embryonic bodies(EBs)and the resulting EBs were cultured in suspension for 6 days in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor bFGF(step 2).Subsequently the EBs were cultured in the medium containing glucagon- like peptide 1(GLP-1),hepatocyte growth factor(HGF),nerve growth factor(NGF)and nicotinamide for 10 days(step 3).After that,the EBs were dissociated into single cells,and the cells were cultured in monolayer in the presence of GLP-1,betacellulin,activin A,bFGF and nicotinamide for 10 days(step 4).Finally,the cells were cultured in low-glucose medium containing nicotinamide for 4 days(step 5).Insulin and some other islet- related genes expressions were investigated using RT-PCR and insulin expression was also investigated by DTZ- staining and immunohistochemistry.The percentage of insulin-secreting cells was evaluated by flowcytometry and insulin concentrations were measured by RIA.Results mRNA expression of insulin became visible at step 3 and more evident at step 5.Additionally,at step 5,mRNAs of glucagon,somatostatin,pancreatic polypeptide(PP), pancreatic duodenal homeobox 1(PDX-1),beta-cell E box transactivator 2(Beta2)and neurogenin 3(Ngn3) were detected.DTZ-staining positive cells and insulin immunohistochemical staining positive cells were observed. The percentage of insulin-positive cells was(24.0?2.5)%(n=6).In the presence of 5.6 mmol/L and 25 mmol/L glucose,insulin concentrations were(0.05?0.01)?g/L and(0.13?0.02)?g/L respectively(n= 6).Conclusion E14.1 mouse ES cells can be induced to differentiate into insulin-secreting cells by the 5-step model system.Insulin-secreting cells can release insulin into culture medium when treated with glucose,and insulin concentrations increase with rising concentration of glucose.

In order to explore the dormancy physiological and biochemical mechanism of Paris seeds, the seed embryo growth courses, and the dynamic change of 5 enzymes, include SOD, POD, CAT, MDH, G-6-PDH were measured during variable temperature stratification. The results indicated that Paris seeds embryo grew quickly after 40 d in warm-stratification (18 ± 1) °C, at the meantime the metabolic activity was significantly strengthened. These facts showed that Paris seeds turned into physiological after-ripening process. After 60-80 d, the morphological embryo after-ripping process basically completed, and the following cold-stratification (4 ± 1) °C furthered Paris seed to finish physiological after-ripening. After 40 d, the activity of MDH decreased while G-6-PDH increased significantly. This showed that the main respiratory pathway of seed changed from TCA to PPP, which benifited breaking seed dormancy. In the whole period of stratification process, the activity variation of SOD and CAT was insignificantly and the activity of POD was enhanced significantly after shifting the seed in cold stratification process. This showed that SOD, CAT had no direct effects on breaking Paris seed dormancy but keeping the seed vigor, while the POD might involve in the process of Paris seed dormancy breaking.
Germination ; Liliaceae ; chemistry ; embryology ; enzymology ; Plant Proteins ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry ; enzymology ; growth & development ; Temperature

Objective To investigate the proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ regulatory T cells (CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr)in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA).Methods(1)Proportion measurement:the proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells in peripheral blood was measured by double-label flow cytometric analysis.The samples were taken from 15 URSA women,15 normal non-pregnancy women and 13 normal pregnancy women.(2)Function measurement:CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr ceils and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T ce]ls were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes by the microbeads separation.The purity of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry.The growth inhibitory effect of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells on CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was assessed in vitro.Results The proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells was decreased significantly in URSA women(6.9?1.8)% than that in normal non-pregnancy women[(10.8?1.1)%] (P0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that decrease in proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells may be associated with URSA.

Objective To observe the dynamic changes in mesenteric lymph microcirculation and its kinetics in rats suffering from severe heatstroke (SHS), and to explore the role of mesenteric lymph in the pathogenesis of SHS. Methods SHS rat models were reproduced in an incubator with high temperature and high humidity. The vital signs and the time of onset of SHS in rats were recorded continuously during the process of heat stress. Parameters of mesenteric lymph microcirculation including Index-I, Index-II, L.D-Index, and intra-lymphatic pressure before heat exposure, 60min after heat exposure, and onset of SHS were collected and analyzed. Mesenteric lymph was collected at 30-min interval, and its volume of production was measured dynamically. Results Rat SHS model was reproduced successfully. After exposure to the environment with high temperature and high humidity, the core temperatures of the rats raised to 42°C at the time point of 60min, and HS onset occurred at about 77min. Mesenteric lymph-vessel contraction indices including Index-I, Index-II, L.D-Index, lymph-vessel pressure and mesenteric lymph flow decreased significantly at the time point of 60min (P<0.05). However, all the above parameters increased at the time point of SHS onset (P<0.05), but had not yet reached the normal levels before hyperthermia and high humidity exposure (P<0.05). Conclusion Changes of mesenteric lymph microcirculation in rats with SHS shows a dynamical regularity, which may take part in the pathogenesis of SHS.

Objective To explore the effect of mesenteric lymph from rats suffering from heat stroke (SHS) on the inflammatory activity of vascular endothelial cells. Methods Rats were placed in a prewarmed incubator to reproduce heat stroke. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs ECV-340) were incubated in 5% mesenteric lymph collected pre-, during-, and post-HS for 3 and 6 h respectively in vitro. The levels of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 of ECV-340 cells were determined. The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) mRNA and NF-κB activity of ECV-340 were also assayed. Results The levels of HMGB1, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by SHS mesenteric lymph of rats significantly increased after heat treatment (P<0.05), and this effect was enhanced with prolongation of exposure time (P<0.05). The expression of ICAM-1 mRNA and NF-κB activity were significantly elevated after being activated by SHS mesenteric lymph (P<0.05). Conclusion HS mesenteric lymph probably activates the inflammatory responses of vascular endothelium, which is closely associated with the pathogenesis of SHS.

Studies concerning the association between arsenic exposure and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been lacking.The present study aimed to examine the association between total urinary arsenic (TUA) and infection of HBV.A total of 5186 participants from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2014 were included in the analysis.We used logistic regression to evaluate the association.We defined two measures of TUA.TUA1 was the sum of arsenous acid,arsenicacid,monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsenic acid.TUA2 was defined as TUA minus arsenobetaine and arsenocholine.The results showed that the weighted overall prevalence of HBV infection was 6.08％.For NHANES 2003-2014,the medians (interquartile range) of TUA1 and TUA2 were 5.60 μg/L (3.97-8.09 μg/L) and 4.91 μg/L (2.36-9.11 μg/L),respectively.Comparing the highest quartile to the lowest quartile after multivariable adjustment showed that the odds ratios (ORs) and 95％ confidence intervals (CIs) for TUA1 and TUA2 were 2.44 (1.40-4.27) and 2.84 (1.60-5.05),respectively.In conclusion,elevated urinary arsenic was associated with the risk of HBV infection.Further studies,especially prospective studies,are needed to confirm the causal relationship between arsenic exposure and HBV infection.

AIMTo study the effects of yi-zhi II (a compond of Chinese Traditional Medicine) on the alteration of synaptic structure in hippocampal CA3 and maintenance of memoy.

METHODSBy using the method of oral administration of yi-zhi II, the step-through test and electron microscopy, the latency of step-through and synaptic structure in hippocamal CA3 were tested.

RESULTS(1) The mice which had been given yi-zhi II prolong significantly the latency of step through (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) on the 1st, 6th and 12th day after learning. (2) On the 6th and 12th day after learning, the length of synaptic active zone were markly improved in yi-zhi II and control, but that of yi-zhi II was better than that of control. (On the 6th day after learning, the number of perforated synapses and axo-dendrite synapses were significantly improved by the yi-zhi II (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe yi-zhi II could improve the learning and memory in mice. It migth improve the memory by increasing the length of synaptic active zone and the number of perforated synapses and axo-dendrite synapses in hippocampal CA3.

Animals ; Avoidance Learning ; drug effects ; CA3 Region, Hippocampal ; drug effects ; physiology ; Chromosome Pairing ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to explore the effect of bortezomib and low concentration cytarabine (Ara-C) on proliferation and apoptosis in U937 cell line and its mechanism. The proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells treated with bortezomib (10 nmol/L) and(or) Ara-C (50 nmol/L) were observed by cell count, cell morphology, flow cytometry and Western blot. The results showed that bortezomib and Ara-C alone inhibited U937 cell proliferation. The inhibitory effect was enhanced by combination of these two drugs, the inhibitory rates of U937 cell proliferation were (55.00 ± 2.81)% and (70.02 ± 3.33)% after treatment for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Bortezomib and Ara-C synergistically induced apoptosis and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential in U937 cells. The percentage of Rhodamin123 positive cells was (38.70 ± 1.54)%. Bortezomib and Ara-C also synergistically induced activation of caspase-9, caspase-8 and caspase-3. It is concluded that the bortezomib and low concentration Ara-C synergistically induced apoptosis in U937 cells, mainly through mitochondrial pathway, and possibly through death receptor pathway.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cytarabine ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells

BACKGROUNDSeated workplaces have greatly increased in China. Many researchers have found that seated work is a risk factor in the development of low-back pain. Backrest can reduce the load on the lower back by transmitting more of the weight from the upper body to the floor via the backrest so as to prevent low-back pain. To design a suitable chair backrest for seated office work, some backrest parameters must be optimized. In this study, the role of backrest density on lumbar load and comfort were investigated. The goal of the study was to help establish criteria with which backrests that alleviate and prevent low back pain during seated office work can be designed and selected.

METHODSTwenty volunteers (10 men and 10 women) were seated in three backrest conditions (10 kg/m(3), 25 kg/m(3), and 40 kg/m(3)). Pressure data, including contact pressure (CP), peak contact pressure (PCP) and contact area were collected during 15-minute trial. Subjective data were collected after each pressure test.

RESULTSBackrest density had a significant effect on backrest pressure variables. CP and PCP increased with increasing backrest density. Contact area decreased with increased density. In terms of user preference, the backrest with low density was most highly rated.

CONCLUSIONSBackrest density plays an important role in lumbar load and comfort during seated work. During designing and selecting backrests, backrest density should be focused on so as to alleviate and prevent low-back pain during seated office work. Backrest density at 10 kg/m(3) got the lowest CP and PCP and largest contact area. Backrest with low density can reduce lumbar pressure and increase support contact area, which could raise comfort feeling. Backrest density at 10 kg/m(3) is better to maintain a balance between providing effective support and alleviating excess lordosis.

Back Injuries ; prevention & control ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Humans ; Interior Design and Furnishings ; Low Back Pain ; prevention & control ; Male ; Regression Analysis