To study the enrichment regulation of anammox bacteria during the whole start-up process of anammox reaction, two reactors with addition of carries of Spherical Plastic (SP) and Bamboo Charcoal (BC) and one without carrier (CK) were used to start anammox reaction. Then FISH and q-PCR analyses for the growth of all anammox bacteria were conducted during the operational process. The results indicate that the number of anammox bacteria in all reactors increased with time during the whole start-up process, which was consistent with the removal rate of ammonium and nitrite. On day 123 of stable phase, the percent of anammox cells in the sludge of CK, SP and BC accounted for 23.3%, 32.6% and 43.7%, respectively. The number of anammox bacteria 16S rRNA gene copies was (25.64 +/- 2.76) x 10(7), (47.12 +/- 2.76) x 10(7) and (577.99 +/- 27.25) x 10(7) copies g(-1) VSS in the sludge of CK, SP and BC, respectively. Carrier addition could dramatically increase enrichment of anammox bacteria. BC addition significantly increased the anammox bacteria number in the UASB reactor which resulted in the acceleration of the anammox start-up process. In addition, the max specific growth rate and the minimum doubling time were 0.064 d(-1) and 10.8 d in BC reactor. The max specific growth rate of anammox bacteria in BC reactor was 1.78 times and 1.88 times greater than that in CK and SP reactor, respectively. Therefore, the FISH and q-PCR analyses were suitable for determining the enrichment regulation of anammox bacteria during the start-up time, while a bit of differences in results existed between the two analytical methods due to the difference in analysis targets.
Ammonia ; metabolism ; Bacteria ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Bioreactors ; Industrial Microbiology ; Nitrites ; metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Sewage ; microbiology

In order to simultaneously remove carbon and nitrogen from organic-rich wastewater, we used an up-flow anaerobic sludge bed/blanket (UASB) reactor that was started up with anammox with high concentration of carbon and nitrogen by gradually raising the organic loading of influent. We optimized the removal of nitrogen and carbon when the chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration varied from 172 to 620 mg/L. During the entire experiment, the ammonium and total nitrogen removal efficiency was higher than 85%, while the average COD removal efficiency was 56.6%. The high concentration of organic matter did not restrain the activity of anammox bacteria. Based on polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) and tapping sequencing analyses, the Planctomycete, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Chlorobi bacteria are detected in the UASB reactor, which indicated complex removal pathway of carbon and nitrogen coexisted in the reactor. However, a part of Planctomycete which referred to anammox bacteria could tolerate a high content of organic carbon, and it provided help for high performance of nitrogen removal in UASB reactor.
Ammonia ; chemistry ; Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis ; Bioreactors ; Carbon ; chemistry ; Nitrogen ; chemistry ; Sewage ; Waste Disposal, Fluid ; methods ; Waste Water ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in tumor microenvironment of natural killer/T cell lymphoma (NKTCL) and its relationship with clinical characteristics and prognosis. Methods From January 2005 to December 2012, 93 patients with NKTCL and available paraffin-embedded tissue in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were included. The expression or IL-6 in tumor microenvironment was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The positive IL-6 expression was identified as≥10 cells/HP. The enumeration data and measurement data were compared by t test andχ2 test, respectively. Overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Survival rates were compared by the Log-rank test. Statistical significance was determined at a level of P<0.05. Results The median count of IL-6 positive cell number was 21 cells/HPF (range, 0-150 cells/HP), and 61.29%(57/93) patients were positive. Positive IL-6 expression was mostly associated with fever and high Korean prognostic index (KPI) score (both P< 0.05). The serum c-reactive protein (CRP) level was (29.28 ± 2.62) mg/L in IL-6 positive patients and (11.14±2.77) mg/L in IL-6 negative patients (t= -2.276, P= 0.025). Patients with negative IL-6 expression had better survival, with 52.7 % of 5-year PFS rate,and 60.0 % of 5-year OS rate; the 5-year PFS and OS rates in those with IL-6 positive were 23.6 % and 27.1 %, respectively (both P= 0.001). Conclusion The high expression of IL-6 in patients with NKTCL might be associated with adverse clinical feature and poor survival.

One hundred and thirty general practitioners ( GP ) who received standard training ( training group ) and 189 GPs who did not receive standard training ( non-training group ) were selected with cluster random sampling method from five districts in Beijing.A questionnaire survey was conducted from April to May 2013, including basic information , working condition , professional competency and continuing education of the interviewees.The survey showed that 72.3%(94/130) in training group had physician titles;89.3%(116/130 )had work experience <10 y;97.0%(126/130)of them had bachelor degree or above;82.3%(107/130) expressed their interest in scientific research , but the 95.4% of them had no research projects;and 96% had no teaching appointment.GPs in non-training group were in a favorite position of education level and professional competency over those in training groups ; however , the latter were highly enthusiastic in further training and scientific research , and had strong potential for career development.

Objective: To investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and constipation using Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Methods: Genetic variation data of gut microbiota were obtained from the MiBioGen Consortium database. The genetic variation data of constipation were sourced from the IEU Open GWAS database. A forward MR analysis was performed using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method with 2 511 SNPs associated with gut microbiota as instrumental variables, and constipation as study outcome, and a reverse MR analysis was performed with 13 microbiota-associated SNPs as instrumental variables and gut microbiota as study outcome. The heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochran test, reverse causation of SNP were examined using MR Steiger test, and the horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using the MR-PRESSO test and MR-Egger regression. In addition, the robustness of the results was verified with the leave-one-out. Results: Forward MR analysis results showed that an increased abundance of genus Coprococcus1 driven by host genetics was associated with a decreased risk of constipation (OR=0.791, 95%CI: 0.709-0.884), and increased abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes driven by host genetics was associated with an increased risk of constipation (OR=1.240, 95%CI: 1.102-1.394). Cochran test detected no heterogeneity (both P>0.05), MR Steiger test was not revealed reverse causation of SNP, and neither the MR-PRESSO test nor the MR-Egger regression revealed horizontal pleiotropy of instrumental variables (all P>0.05), and the leave-one-out method confirmed the robustness of results. Reverse MR analysis showed no association between gut microbiota and constipation (both P>0.05). Conclusion Genus Coprococcus1 and phylum Bacteroidetes in the gut microbiota are associated with constipation.

Objective To evaluate efficacy and mechanism of Anluohuaxian pilule combined with interferon-γ in the treatment of schistosomal liver fibrosis. To preliminarily study on the relationship of pigment deposition in liver and schistosomal liver fibrosis. Methods Thirty Kunming mice were divided into the normal control group, the infection control group and the combination of Anluohuaxian pilule and Interferon-γ treated group. Schistosomal liver fibrosis model was established by infection with 40 Schistosoma japonicum cercariae. The treated group was treated by combination of Anluohuaxian pilule and Interferon-γ for 8 weeks. The changes of pigment deposition and hepatic egg granuloma in Schistosoma japonicum infected mice were observed. Expressions of collagen Ⅰ and Ⅲ were detected by immunohistochemistry. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 was detected by fluorescent polymerase chain reaetion(PCR). Histopathology and computer image analysis were applied to evaluate the change in the liver tissues. Results The amount of pigment deposition in liver was related to the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA (correlation coefficient = 0. 8). Compared to the infection control group, combination of Anluohuaxian pilule and Interferon-γ can lessen hepatic fibrosis(P<0.05). The combination therapy can also make pigment deposition less and hepatic granuloma smaller than the infection control group(P<0. 05). Conclusions Pigment deposition in liver is related to the expression of TGF-β 1. Combination of Anluohuaxian pilule and Interferon-γ can lessen hepatic fibrosis in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum. It's one mechanism to of the combination therapy down-regulate the expression of collagen Ⅰ, Ⅲ and TGF-β 1.

Objective To assess the value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging in the pathological damage of Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis on children by comparison with renal biopsy.Methods 50 cases of healthy control group as group A; 58 children with HSPN were divided into three groups according to pathological grading:Ⅰ ～ Ⅱ class (group B),Ⅲ class (group C) and Ⅳ ～ Ⅵ class (group D).ARFI was then used to measure the shear wave velocities(SWV) of renal cortex of each group,compared the differences SWV of each group.Results SWV values of children's renal cortex with HSPN were significantly higher (t =5.883,P =0.017) than those in the group A.Pairwise comparisons found that there were statistically significant differences between group D and the other three groups (P ＜0.05).According the ROC curve,the cut-off value of SWV was 2.59 m/s when the maximum area under the curve equal to 0.719,the sensitivity and specificity were 63％ and 67％.Conclusions ARFI technology can quantify the elastic properties of the kidney,which is expected as an important indicator to evaluate the pathological extent of damage of the HSPN.

Objective: To establish a method for determining the content of bear bile powder in Longze Xiongdan capsules with taursodeoxycholic acid（TUDCA） and taurchenodeoxycholic acid（TCDCA） as indexes.
Methods: HPLC series evaporation photodetector was adopted on Chrom Core AQ C₁₈ column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm), with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile ( A ) and 5 mmol·L^-1 ammonium acetate solution (B) in a gradient elution (0-40 min, 25%A; 40-50 min, 25%A→29%A; 50-80 min, 29%A; 80-100 min, 29%A→40%A) at the flow rate of 1.0 mL·min^-1. The column temperature was 30 ℃. The ELSD was used, of which the drift tube temperature was 110 ℃ and the flow rate of carrier gas（N₂） was 2.5 L·min^-1.
Results: In the ranges of 1.069-9.57 μg and 0.740 46-7.404 64 μg, logarithms of the injected amount of TUDCA and TCDCA presented good linear relationships with logarithms of the peak area, respectively. The RSDs of precision, repeatability and stability tests were all lower than 2.0%. At three concentration levels the recoveries of TUDCA and TCDCA were 95.2%-97.7% and 91.9%-95.9%, respectively. Samples of 42 batches showed that the contents of TUDCA and TCDCA were 0.18-0.43 and 0.10-0.44 mg·granule^-1, respectively.
Conclusion: This method can be used for the quality control of bear bile powder in Longze Xiongdan capsules, thus provides a scientific basis for improving its quality standard.

[Objective]This study was aimed to evaluate treatment outcomes and toxicity of continuous-infusion EPOCH regimen for NK/T-cell lymphoma(NK/TCL).[Methods]From June 2003 to June 2008,34 patients including 30 nasal NK/TCL (88.2%)and 4 nasal type NK/TCL(11.8%)received doxorubicin,vincfistine,etoposide over 96 hours infusion with bolus eyelophosphamide and oral predinisone(EPOCH)chemotherapy as first-line treatment.Median cycles of EPOCH administered were 2.5(1-6 cycles).Additional involved field radiation therapy(IFRT)was administered to patients with localized nasal focus after chemotherapy.[Results]Among 34 patients,33 were eligible for response evaluation.The response rate(RR)was 60.6% (20/33)with complete remission(CR)rate of 45.5%(15/33).The RR of patients with nasal NK/TCL was 66.7%(20/30)with CR rate of 50%(15/30).Only one of the 3 nasal type NK/TCL patients achieved stable disease(SD),the other 2 had progressive disease(PD)during chemotherapy.After a median follow-up of 22(2-68)months,the estimated 3-year overall survival rate(OS)was 52.2%.For patients with nasal NK/TCL,the estimated median survival time was not reached,the 3-year OS was 59.4%.For patients with nasal type NK/TCL,the estimated median survival time was only 7 months.The CR rate was 75.0% for localized nasal NK/TCL who received initial EPOCH chemotherapy followed IFRT with the 3-year OS of 75.0%.Major adverse effect was myelosuppression.The incidence of grade Ⅲ～Ⅳ neutropenia was 30.9%.No treatment-related mortality occurred.[Conclusions]EPOCH regiment was effective and well tolerant for nasal NK/TCL.Combined EPOCH chemotherapy followed by IFRT produced promising outcome for patients with localized disease.However,patients with nasal type NK/TCL responded poorly and more efficacious treatment strategies are urgently needed.

[Objective]To evaluate the clinical efficacy and side effects of DHAOx±R regimen in the patients with relapsed and refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL).[Methods]Twenty patients with relapsed or refractory NHL were enrolled into this study in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University.These patients were treated with DHAOx±R regimen(Dexamethasone 20 mg/day intravenous(Ⅳ)on day 1 to day 4,cytarabine 2 000 mg/m~2 3 h Ⅳ,every 12 hours on day 2;oxaliplatin 130 mg/m~2 2 h Ⅳ on day 1;with or without rituximab 375 ms/m~2 on day 0).Six patients were followed by high dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.Response to treatment wag assessed according to The International Working Group Criteria,including CR,PR,SD and PD.Side effects were graded according to WHO criteria,including 0-Ⅳ grades.[Results]Twenty patients received 47 cycles chemotherapy,13 patients(65%)received DHAOx chemotherapy and 7(35%)received DHAOx+R.The response rate(RR)for the whole group was 55%(11/20)with comeplete response(CR)rate 35%(7/20).The response can also be obtained in the patients who were already treated by platinum-based regimen before.The major toxicity Wag myelosuppression.The incidence of grade Ⅲ～Ⅳ neutropenia Wag 35%(16/47),and febrile neutropenia was 17%(8/47).The incidence of grade Ⅲ～Ⅳ thrombocytopenia was 20%(9/47).Eight cycles(17%)occurred mild neumtoxicity.With median follow-up of 12 months,1 and 2-year overall survival rate were 70.6%.[Conclusion]DHAOx was an effective regimen for recurrent and relapsed NHL patients with mild side effects and further investigation is needed.