Phosphorus removal and greenhouse gas N2O emission in a lime-induced aerobic sludge granule process

Aerobic sludge granulation was achieved in an activated sludge process continuously fed with lime (Ca2+ 100 mg l(-1) influent) every other day. Eighteen days after lime addition, activated sludge granules with the size of 0.5-2.2 mm were formed, which occupied 10-25% of total sludge volume. Sludge volume index (SVI) was reduced to an average of 50 ml g(-1), which increased average sludge concentration to 3.6-5.0 g VSS l(-1), 1.6-2.1 times of that of control. Greenhouse gas N2O emission was also significantly reduced: N2O concentration from the lime-addition reactor was 5-15 ppmv, 47-61% of that of control, Effluent PO4-P concentration was generally lower than 1 mg l(-1) when average influent PO4-P concentration was 6.07-6.37 mg l(-1). Total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiencies were around 89.6% and 14.5-16.1%, over 3.5 and 1 times higher than those of control, respectively. COD removal rate in the lime-addition reactor was 2.05-2.48 kg COD m(-3) d(-1), higher than 1.34-1.61 kg COD m(-3) d(-1) in the control.

Lithium suppresses excitotoxicity-induced striatal lesions in a rat model of Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease is a progressive, inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of subsets of neurons primarily in the striatum. In this study, we assessed the neuroprotective effect of lithium against striatal lesion formation in a rat model of Huntington's disease in which quinolinic acid was unilaterally infused into the striatum. For this purpose, we used a dopamine receptor autoradiography and glutamic acid decarboxylase mRNA in situ hybridization analysis, methods previously shown to be adequate for quantitative analysis of the excitotoxin-induced striatal lesion size. Here we demonstrated that subcutaneous injections of LiCl for 16 days prior to quinolinic acid infusion considerably reduced the size of quinolinic acid-induced striatal lesion. Furthermore, these lithium pre-treatments also decreased the number of striatal neurons labeled with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting demonstrated that lithium-elicited neuroprotection was associated with an increase in Bcl-2 protein levels. Our results raise the possibility that lithium may be considered as a neuroprotective agent in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease.

Linkage studies between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and the monoamine oxidase genes

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent behavioral disorder in children and the etiology of this disorder is not clear. Molecular genetic and pharmacological studies suggest the involvement of dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems in ADHD, e.g., several reports have found association between ADHD and the dopamine receptor gene DRD-4, the dopamine transporter gene DAT1, and the catecholamine clearance enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B genes encode enzymes that participate in the metabolism of neurotransmitters of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems. MAO inhibitors have been shown to be effective in the treatment of ADHD. Our previous studies showed an association between ADHD and the DXS7 locus, which is located in close vicinity to the MAO genes on chromosome X. These findings suggest that there might be linkage between ADHD and MAO genes. To test this hypothesis, we used the transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) to test for linkage between a VNTR polymorphism at the MAOA(CA)(n) or MAOB(GT)(n) locus and DSM-III-R-diagnosed ADHD in 82 nuclear families of the Chinese population. The TDT analysis revealed linkage between ADHD and the MAOA(CA)(n) locus (chi-square = 15.25, df = 7, P < 0.05), but not the MAOB(GT)(n) locus (chi-square = 11.18, df = 7, P > 0.05). The data showed that ADHD was in linkage with the MAOA gene and suggested that MAOA might be a susceptibility factor for ADHD.

Butyltin compounds in sediments from the commercial harbor of Alexandria City, Egypt

Tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) compounds were quantitatively determined in surface-sediment samples collected from 23 sites in the commercial harbor of Alexandria City, Egypt. Butyltin concentrations in sediments varied widely depending on the sample location, ranging from less than 0.1 to 186 ng g(-1) of Sn for MBT, less than 0.1 to 379 ng g(-1) of Sn for DBT, and 1 to 2,067 ng g(-1) of Sn for TBT Elevated TBT concentrations, ranging from 727 to 2,067 ng g(-1) of Sn were observed in harbors, marinas, and near ship-repair facilities, indicating that the butyltin-containing, antifouling paints of boats and vessels are the major source of butyltin contamination. The TBT concentration decreased rapidly away from potential source areas of boat docking and repair facilities. The high relative concentrations of TBT in the sediments indicated that degradation processes in the sediments are minor, probably due to the anoxic sedimentary conditions at the sampling sites and/or relatively fresh input of TBT to these sites.

Changes of serum selenium in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes is one of the most common diseases in pregnancy. In the present work, the possible relationship between serum selenium concentration and gestational diabetes was investigated. Blood samples of 234 pregnant women were collected, including 98 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), 46 subjects with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and 90 normal pregnant women (NPW). An additional 17 samples of normal women of fertile age (NW) were collected for comparison. The hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry was used for selenium determination. The mean serum selenium levels obtained for each group were 0.0741 +/- 0.0167 mg/L for NPW, 0.0631 +/- 0.0132 mg/L for IGT, 0.0635 +/- 0.0120 mg/L for GDM, and 0.108 +/- 0.0170 mg/L for NW. Serum selenium levels were significantly lower in pregnant woman with IGT (p < 0.001) and GDM (p < 0.001) than in NPW. Furthermore, an inverse correlation between the serum selenium concentration and the gestational period was also observed. Selenium supplementation during gestation for pregnant women, especially with IGT and GDM, should be considered.

The effect of electro-acupuncture on motor function recovery in patients with acute cerebral infarction: a randomly controlled trial

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of electro-acupuncture treatment in acute phase of cerebral infarction on the motor functions. In this randomly controlled trial, 86 patients were allocated to two groups, the experimental group given clinical and electro-acupuncture treatments for a period of 4 weeks, and the control group given clinical treatment plus active and/or passive functional exercise. The result showed that the level of impairment and disability in both groups were improvement according to the Chinese Stroke Scale, Brunnstrom-Fugl-Meyer score, and Barthel Index throughout the study and 3 months after. The motor functions and the activities of daily living (ADL) were improved significantly in the electro-acupuncture group as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Also, the results showed greater reduction of neurological deficit in the electro-acupuncture group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Early acupuncture treatment for acute stroke patients may improve motor functions, and consequently the activities of daily living.

IRAK-mediated translocation of TRAF6 and TAB2 in the interleukin-1-induced activation of NFkappa B

The interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor-associated kinase (IRAK) is required for the IL-1-induced activation of nuclear factor kappaB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. The goal of this study was to understand how IRAK activates the intermediate proteins TRAF6, TAK1, TAB1, and TAB2. When IRAK is phosphorylated in response to IL-1, it binds to the membrane where it forms a complex with TRAF6; TRAF6 then dissociates and translocates to the cytosol. The membrane-bound IRAK similarly mediates the IL-1-induced translocation of TAB2 from the membrane to the cytosol. Different regions of IRAK are required for the translocation of TAB2 and TRAF6, suggesting that IRAK mediates the translocation of each protein separately. The translocation of TAB2 and TRAF6 is needed to form a TRAF6-TAK1-TAB1-TAB2 complex in the cytosol and thus activate TAK1. Our results show that IRAK is required for the IL-1-induced phosphorylation of TAK1, TAB1, and TAB2. The phosphorylation of these three proteins correlates strongly with the activation of nuclear factor kappaB but is not necessary to activate c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

Induction of 78 kD glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) expression and redox-regulated transcription factor activity by lead and mercury in C6 rat glioma cells

Lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are widespread environmental contaminants that induce prominent neural toxicity. Although the brain is not the major Pb and Hg depot in the body, these metals preferentially accumulate in astroglia to exert toxic effects. In this study, we examined the effects of Pb acetate and HgCl(2) on the expression of GRP78, a molecular chaperone in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that may provide cytoprotection in response to cellular stresses in the C6 rat glioma cell line. We also evaluated the DNA binding activities of several redox-regulated transcription factors in metal-treated cells. Our results showed that mRNA levels of GRP78 were up-regulated by Pb and Hg at 0.1 and 1 micro M, but down-regulated at higher concentrations (10 micro M). GRP78 protein levels increased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner in Pb and/or Hg-treated cells. Pb increased protein binding to the GST- Upsilon a antioxidant/electrophile response element (ARE/EpRE) and to the NF- kappaB consensus binding sequence of the cytomegalovirus 2 (CMB2) promoter, but decreased protein binding to the Ha-ras ARE/EpRE or to the c-fos 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) response element (TRE). In contrast, Hg activated DNA binding by all redox-regulated transcription factors. These studies shed some light on the molecular mechanisms of Pb and Hg toxicity in C6 rat glioma cells and suggest that GRP78 and oxidative stress may participate in the neurotoxic response to these metals.

Regional specificity of ethanol and NMDA action in brain revealed with FOS-like immunohistochemistry and differential routes of drug administration

BACKGROUND

Inhibition of NMDA receptor function in brain is believed to be an important action of ethanol (EtOH). To investigate EtOH inhibition of NMDA receptor responses in vivo, the interaction of these agents in brain after different routes of administration were investigated by using transcription factor Fos protein expression to follow NMDA receptor activation and EtOH inhibition of this response.

METHODS

The induction of Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in 38 regions of the rat brain was measured 2 hr after treatment with NMDA, EtOH, or both. To determine the relative contribution of abdominal drug effects on Fos induction, rats received either intraperitoneal (ip) or intragastric (ig) EtOH and ip or intravenous (iv) NMDA. Rats received EtOH (2.5 g/kg ip or 4 g/kg ig) or vehicle 15 min before NMDA (125 mg/kg ip or 60 mg/kg iv) or vehicle.

RESULTS

For the 38 forebrain regions examined, ip and iv NMDA significantly induced Fos-LI in 13 and 32 regions, respectively. These effects occurred without elicitation of tonic-clonic seizure activity and were strong after iv NMDA in the frontal, prefrontal, and cingulate cortices, supraoptic nucleus, anterior lateral septum, and dentate gyrus. For EtOH, prominent Fos-LI induction was found in the central amygdala, dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, and paraventricular hypothalamus. Despite ip and ig EtOH induction of Fos-LI in these regions, the major effect of EtOH was to block NMDA-induced Fos-LI in 8 of 13 (ip) and 27 of 32 (ig) of the NMDA-positive regions, respectively, including retrosplenial, cingulate, and medial prefrontal cortices, central amygdala, and taenia tecta.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide new evidence for the regionally specific functional interactions of EtOH on NMDA receptors in vivo. Moreover, these results support efforts to identify brain region-specific targets for EtOH and EtOH-induced changes in gene expression.

[A fusion protein of rotavirus VP6 and cholera toxin B subunit: expression in Escherichia coli and analysis of biological activities]

Rotavirus infection is a major cause of dehydrating diarrhea in infants worldwide. The non-toxic cholera toxin B subunit(CTB), known as an immunomodulatory carrier, might help to stimulate mucosal immune response when coupled to rotavirus antigens in oral immunization. Here we report for the first time the construction of a translational fusion of CTB gene 5' to the VP6 gene of a human rotavirus A(field strain T114), and expression of the CTB-VP6 fusion protein in E. coli BL21(DE3). The expressed fusion protein has a molecular weight of 56 kD, as expected, and accounts for about 15% of the total E. coli protein. Western blottings with the hyperimmune serum against rotavirus strain WA and the antibody against cholera toxin indicated that the fusion protein retains the antigenicity identical to the native CTB and VP6. The GM1-ELISA analysis proves that the renatured CTB-VP6 has strong affinity for GM1 ganglioside.

Formation of brainstem (nor)adrenergic centers and first-order relay visceral sensory neurons is dependent on homeodomain protein Rnx/Tlx3

Brainstem visceral sensory and (nor)adrenergic neurons play crucial roles in modulating cardiovascular and respiratory functions. The origins and formation of these neurons are poorly understood. Here we show that these two classes of neurons are derived from Mash1-positive precursor cells, and can be prospectively identified by combinatorial expression of two homeobox genes, Rnx and Phox2 (Phox2a or Phox2b). It was previously shown that Rnx-deficient mice die from respiratory failure. Here we show that Rnx function is required for formation of first-order relay visceral sensory neurons in the brainstem. In addition, as in Phox2b-deficient mice, the development of most (nor)adrenergic centers is compromised in Rnx mutants. We also provide genetic evidence to show that Rnx and Phox2 proteins may function independently to specify the (nor)adrenergic phenotype. Our studies reveal a surprising ontogenetic relationship between relay visceral sensory and (nor)adrenergic neurons, and suggest that it may be a common theme in the developing nervous system that the same set of transcriptional regulators is associated with formation of multiple components within a neuronal network.

A novel method for the preparation of III-V semiconductors: sonochemical synthesis of InP nanocrystals

A novel method for the preparation of III-V semiconductor has been provided in this paper. At room temperature, InP nanocrystals with diameter of approximately 9 nm were successfully obtained under high-intensity ultrasonic irradiation for 4 h from the reaction of InCl(3).4H2O, yellow phosphorus and KBH4 in the mixed solvents of ethanol and benzene. Changing some parameters can effectively control the size of the products and possible explanations were offered. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscope and electron diffraction pattern. The ultrasonic irradiation and the solvents are both important in the formation of the product.

Chemical characterization of naturally weathered oil residues in arid terrestrial environment in Al-Alamein, Egypt

The main objective of this study was to investigate compositional changes in a range of source- and weathering-dependent molecular parameters in oil residues in the arid terrestrial environment of Al-Alamein, Egypt. The results of aromatic hydrocarbon analysis demonstrated the stability of several aromatic hydrocarbon ratios in oil residues over a wide range of weathering and hydrocarbon concentrations. The ratios of C2-dibenzothiophenes/C2-phenanthrenes (C2-DBTs/C2-PHENs), C3-dibenzothiophenes/C3-phenanthrenes (C3-DBTs/C3-PHENs), C2-chrysenes/C1-chrysenes (C2-CHRYs/C1-CHRYs), and C2-dibenzothiophenes/C1-dibenzothiophenes (C2-DBTs/C1-DBTs) were nearly constant in oil residues of varying degrees of weathering. Biomarker ratios of hopanes and steranes were useful for source identification even for severely weathered oil residues. The data confirmed previous observations that C29 20S/(20S + 20R) and C29 betabeta/(betabeta+ alphaalpha) sterane epimer ratios, and C29/C30, C30 alphabeta(alphabeta + 3alpha), C31 22S/(22S + 22R) hopane ratios correlate well even after extensive weathering of spilled oils, although some exceptions were encountered for an extensively weathered surface sample. The data provided clear evidence of correlation between samples of the weathered oil residues and the possible source oil. Moreover, the results of biomarker compositions were in good agreement with weathering classification based on alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons. In general, samples with lowest pregnane indices (PI) and tricyclic terpane indices (TriTI) showed the lowest concentrations of n-alkanes and alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) homologues, the highest weathering ratios (WRs), the highest values of unresolved complex mixture (UCM)/total resolved peak (TRP) ratios, and the highest ratios of C2 and C3-alkylated CHRYs to their counterparts in the PHEN and DBT series.

The actin filament-associated protein AFAP-110 is an adaptor protein that modulates changes in actin filament integrity

The actin filament-associated protein of 110 kDa (AFAP-110) was first identified as an SH3/SH2 binding partner for the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, Src. Subsequent data have demonstrated that AFAP-110 can interact with other Src family members. AFAP-110 contains additional protein binding modules including two pleckstrin homology domains, a leucine zipper motif and a target sequence for serine/threonine phosphorylation. AFAP-110 interacts with actin filaments directly via a carboxy terminal actin-binding domain. Thus AFAP-110 may function as an adaptor protein by linking Src family members and/or other signaling proteins to actin filaments. AFAP-110 also has an intrinsic capability to alter actin filament integrity that can be revealed upon conformational changes associated with phosphorylation or mutagenesis. Recent data has indicated that AFAP-110 may also serve to activate cSrc in response to this conformational change as well. Thus, AFAP-110 may function in several ways by (1) acting as an adaptor protein that links signaling molecules to actin filaments, (2) serving as a platform for the construction of larger signaling complexes, (3) serving as an activator of Src family kinases in response to cellular signals that alter its conformation and (4) directly effecting actin filament organization as an actin filament cross-linking protein. Here, we will review the structure and function of AFAP-110 as well as potential binding partners and effectors of AFAP-110's ability to alter actin filament integrity.

Astroglia as metal depots: molecular mechanisms for metal accumulation, storage and release

The brain is an organ that concentrates metals, and these metals are often localized to astroglia. An examination of metal physiology of brain cells, particularly astroglia, offers insights into the developmental neurotoxicity of certain metals, including lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), manganese (Mn), and copper (Cu). Xenobiotic metals probably accumulate in cells by exploiting the normal functions of proteins that transport and handle essential metals. In addition, essential metals may become toxic by accumulating at levels that exceed the normal metal buffering capacity of the cell. This review considers the uptake, accumulation, storage, and release of two xenobiotic metals, Pb and Hg, as well as two essential nutrient metals that are neurotoxic in high amounts, Mn and Cu. Evidence that each metal accumulates in astroglia is evaluated, together with the mechanisms the host cell may invoke to protect itself from cytoxicity.

Protective immunity and antibody-secreting cell responses elicited by combined oral attenuated Wa human rotavirus and intranasal Wa 2/6-VLPs with mutant Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin in gnotobiotic pigs

Two combined rotavirus vaccination regimens were evaluated in a gnotobiotic pig model of rotavirus infection and disease and were compared to previously tested rotavirus vaccination regimens. The first (AttHRV/VLP2x) involved oral inoculation with one dose of attenuated (Att) Wa human rotavirus (HRV), followed by two intranasal (i.n.) doses of a rotavirus-like particle (2/6-VLPs) vaccine derived from Wa (VP6) and bovine RF (VP2) rotavirus strains. The 2/6-VLPs were coadministered with a mutant Escherichia coli heat-labile toxin, LT-R192G (mLT) adjuvant. For the second regimen (VLP2x/AttHRV), two i.n. doses of 2/6-VLPs+mLT were given, followed by one oral dose of attenuated Wa HRV. To compare the protective efficacy and immune responses induced by the combined vaccine regimens with individual rotavirus vaccine regimens, we included in the experiments the following vaccine groups: one oral dose of attenuated Wa HRV (AttHRV1x and Mock2x/AttHRV, respectively), three oral doses of attenuated Wa HRV (AttHRV3x), three i.n. doses of 2/6-VLPs plus mLT (VLP3x), three i.n. doses of purified double-layered inactivated Wa HRV plus mLT (InactHRV3x), mLT alone, and mock-inoculated pigs. The isotype, magnitude, and tissue distribution of antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) in the intestinal and systemic lymphoid tissues were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunospot assay. The AttHRV/VLP2x regimen stimulated the highest mean numbers of intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) ASCs prechallenge among all vaccine groups. This regimen induced partial protection against virus shedding (58%) and diarrhea (44%) upon challenge of pigs with virulent Wa HRV. The reverse VLP2x/AttHRV regimen was less efficacious than the AttHRV/VLP2x regimen in inducing IgA ASC responses and protection against diarrhea (25% protection rate) but was more efficacious than VLP3x or InactHRV3x (no protection). In conclusion, the AttHRV/VLP2x vaccination regimen stimulated the strongest B-cell responses in the intestinal mucosal immune system at challenge and conferred a moderately high protection rate against rotavirus disease, indicating that priming of the mucosal inductive site at the portal of natural infection with a replicating vaccine, followed by boosting with a nonreplicating vaccine at a second mucosal inductive site, may be a highly effective approach to stimulate the mucosal immune system and induce protective immunity against various mucosal pathogens.

Polymorphisms of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population: a case-control study

Low dietary folate intake has been associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) involved in folate metabolism has 2 variants, C677T and A1298C, that result in decreased MTHFR activity and lower plasma folate levels. Therefore, we hypothesized that these 2 variants play a role in gastric carcinogenesis. We tested this hypothesis in a Chinese population-based case-control study of 187 histopathologically confirmed gastric cancer cases and 166 healthy controls frequency-matched by age (+/-5 years), gender and residential area. The 677TT genotype was associated with increased risk for gastric cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00-3.48] compared to the 677CC genotype. This association was more pronounced for gastric cardia cancer (adjusted OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.14-5.32). However, no evidence was found for risk associated with the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism. Our findings support the hypothesis that MTHFR C677T variants contribute to gastric carcinogenesis, particularly in gastric cardia. Larger studies incorporating dietary folate intake and serum levels are needed to confirm our findings.

Polymorphisms of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population: a case-control study

Low dietary folate intake has been associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) involved in folate metabolism has 2 variants, C677T and A1298C, that result in decreased MTHFR activity and lower plasma folate levels. Therefore, we hypothesized that these 2 variants play a role in gastric carcinogenesis. We tested this hypothesis in a Chinese population-based case-control study of 187 histopathologically confirmed gastric cancer cases and 166 healthy controls frequency-matched by age (+/-5 years), gender and residential area. The 677TT genotype was associated with increased risk for gastric cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00-3.48] compared to the 677CC genotype. This association was more pronounced for gastric cardia cancer (adjusted OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.14-5.32). However, no evidence was found for risk associated with the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism. Our findings support the hypothesis that MTHFR C677T variants contribute to gastric carcinogenesis, particularly in gastric cardia. Larger studies incorporating dietary folate intake and serum levels are needed to confirm our findings.

Polymorphisms of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and risk of gastric cancer in a Chinese population: a case-control study

Low dietary folate intake has been associated with increased risk of gastric cancer. The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) involved in folate metabolism has 2 variants, C677T and A1298C, that result in decreased MTHFR activity and lower plasma folate levels. Therefore, we hypothesized that these 2 variants play a role in gastric carcinogenesis. We tested this hypothesis in a Chinese population-based case-control study of 187 histopathologically confirmed gastric cancer cases and 166 healthy controls frequency-matched by age (+/-5 years), gender and residential area. The 677TT genotype was associated with increased risk for gastric cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00-3.48] compared to the 677CC genotype. This association was more pronounced for gastric cardia cancer (adjusted OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.14-5.32). However, no evidence was found for risk associated with the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism. Our findings support the hypothesis that MTHFR C677T variants contribute to gastric carcinogenesis, particularly in gastric cardia. Larger studies incorporating dietary folate intake and serum levels are needed to confirm our findings.

Indirect electrochemical treatment of saline dyestuff wastewater

Dyestuff wastewater is always found to contain highly-concentrated sodium chloride. In many cases, biological processes are not available to dispose saline dyestuff wastewater. In this paper, both direct a nd indirect electrochemical oxidation of saline dyestuff wastewater were carried out and the accessibility of indirect electrochemical oxidation by electrochemically generated hypochlorite was investigated. It was found that the indirect electrochemical process removed COD by 87% and color by 100% in 50 minutes while the direct electrochemical process removed COD by 47% and color by 50% in 5 hours. The rate-limiting step for hypochlorite evolution at the anode was found to be diffusion-controlled. For the two processes, COD removal kinetics could be simplified as the pseudo first-order kinetics. The rate constants of COD removal were 0.038 min(-1) and 0.0018 min(-1) for the indirect and direct oxidation respectively. Current efficiency of the indirect process was I while that of the direct process was 0.16; cost efficiency of the two processes was 8,000 mg-COD (kWh)(-1) and 1,000 mg-COD (kWh)(-1) respectively. It can be concluded that the indirect electrochemical process is a promising method for the disposal of saline dyestuff wastewater.

Lack of association between the tryptophan hydroxylase gene A218C polymorphism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in Chinese Han population

Previous studies have suggested that the serotonergic (5-HT) system might be involved in the development of Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is frequently characterized by aggressive and impulsive behavior, a major symptom associated with reduction in serotonergic function. The tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) gene is a reasonable candidate for ADHD because it encodes the rate-limiting enzyme in the process of 5-HT biosynthesis. In this study, we examined the relationship between the A218C polymorphism in TPH gene and ADHD. Sixty-nine ADHD patients and their biological parents were investigated. The A218C polymorphism in intron 7 of TPH gene was detected by PCR-RFLP method. No allele or genotype concerned with this A218C polymorphism was found to be associated with ADHD when analyzed with the haplotype relative risk method. Therefore, our data indicate that the TPH gene A218C polymorphism may not be a susceptibility factor of ADHD in the Chinese Han population.

Missense polymorphism in the human carboxypeptidase E gene alters enzymatic activity

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is involved in the biosynthesis of peptide hormones and neurotransmitters, including insulin. One of the features of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an elevation in the proinsulin level and/or proinsulin/insulin molar ratio, suggesting that mutations in proinsulin processing enzymes may contribute to the development of T2DM. We scanned CPE for mutations in a collection of Ashkenazi T2DM families and identified five novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). An SNP in the 283(rd) codon, c.847C>T, changes arginine to tryptophan (R283W). The residue Arg283 is conserved among CPE orthologs as well as most enzymatically active metallocarboxypeptidases. Of the 272 Ashkenazi T2DM pedigrees screened, we found four families segregating R283W. Within these four families, patients who inherited one copy of this variant had much earlier age of onset for T2DM. The R283W CPE protein cleaves peptide substrates with substantially lower efficiencies and is less stable at elevated temperature. In addition, the R283W CPE variant has a narrower pH optimum and is much less active at pH 6.0-6.5, indicating that the R283W CPE variant would be substantially less active than wild type CPE in the trans-Golgi network and immature secretory vesicles where the enzyme functions in vivo. To summarize, we uncovered a rare non-conservative missense mutation in CPE and demonstrated that the mutant protein has altered enzymatic properties. We predict that this mutant could cause hyperproinsulinism and diabetes in the homozygous state.

Model-based evaluation of two BNR processes--UCT and A2N

The activity of denitrifying P-accumulating bacteria (DPB) has been verified to exist in most WWTPs with biological nutrient removal (BNR). The modified UCT process has a high content of DPB. A new BNR process with a two-sludge system named A2N was especially developed to exploit denitrifying dephosphatation. With the identical inflow and effluent standards, an existing full-scale UCT-type WWTP and a designed A2N process were evaluated by simulation. The used model is based on the Delft metabolical model for bio-P removal and ASM2d model for COD and N removal. Both processes accommodate denitrifying dephosphatation, but the A2N process has a more stable performance in N removal. Although excess sludge is increased by 6%, the A2N process leads to savings of 35, 85 and 30% in aeration energy, mixed liquor internal recirculation and land occupation respectively, as compared to the UCT process. Low temperature has a negative effect on growth of poly-P bacteria, which becomes to especially appear in the A2N process.

A novel method for beat-to-beat detection of ventricular late potentials

A novel method for beat-to-beat detection of ventricular late potentials (VLP) from high-resolution electrocardiograms (ECGs) is presented. ECG signals from the X lead are first filtered using a bandpass filter, and then a time-sequence adaptive filter, to improve its signal-to-noise ratio. Eight features are extracted using wavelet transform, from the VLP time-frequency distribution of the filtered ECG signals, and used as inputs of specially designed artificial neural network for VLP recognition. The artificial neural network was trained and tested using clinical data, respectively. The results show that the presented method can detect beat-to-beat-based VLP with sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 77%, and the detection accuracy is 78%.