Melatonin reduces acute lung injury in endotoxemic rats

BACKGROUND

Treatment with melatonin significantly reduces lung injury induced by bleomycin, paraquat and ischemia reperfusion. In the present study, we investigated the possible protective roles of melatonin in pulmonary inflammation and lung injury during acute endotoxemia.

METHODS

Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: vehicle + saline group, melatonin + saline group, vehicle + lipopolysaccharide group, melatonin + lipopolysaccharide group. The rats were treated with melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection (i.p.)) or vehicle (1% ethanol saline), 30 minutes prior to lipopolysaccharide administration (6 mg/kg, intravenous injection). Four hours after lipopolysaccharide injection, samples of pulmonary tissue were collected. Blood gas analysis was carried out. Optical microscopy was performed to examine pathological changes in lungs and lung injury score was assessed. Wet/dry ratios (W/D), myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde concentrations and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in lungs were measured. The pulmonary expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) p65 was evaluated by Western blotting.

RESULTS

PaO(2) in the vehicle + lipopolysaccharide group decreased compared with that in the vehicle + saline group. This decrease was significantly reduced in the melatonin + lipopolysaccharide group. The lung tissues from the saline + lipopolysaccharide group were significantly damaged, which were less pronounced in the melatonin + lipopolysaccharide group. The W/D ratio increased significantly in the vehicle + lipopolysaccharide group (6.1 +/- 0.18) as compared with that in the vehicle + saline group (3.61 +/- 0.3) (P < 0.01), which was significantly reduced in the melatonin + lipopolysaccharide group (4.8 +/- 0.25) (P < 0.01). Myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels increased significantly in the vehicle + lipopolysaccharide group compared with that in the vehicle + saline group, which was reduced in the melatonin + lipopolysaccharide group. The TNF-alpha level of pulmonary tissue increased significantly in the vehicle + lipopolysaccharide group ((8.7 +/- 0.91) pg/mg protein) compared with that in the vehicle + saline group ((4.3 +/- 0.62) pg/mg protein, P < 0.01). However, the increase of TNF-alpha level of pulmonary tissue was significantly reduced in the melatonin + lipopolysaccharide group ((5.9 +/- 0.56) pg/mg protein, P < 0.01). Pulmonary IL-10 levels were elevated markedly in the vehicle + lipopolysaccharide group in contrast to that in the vehicle + saline group, whereas the elevation was augmented in the melatonin + lipopolysaccharide group. The nuclear localization of p65 increased markedly in the vehicle + lipopolysaccharide group and this enhancement of nuclear p65 expression was much less in the melatonin + lipopolysaccharide group.

CONCLUSION

Melatonin reduces acute lung injury in endotoxemic rats by attenuating pulmonary inflammation and inhibiting NF-kappaB activation.

Reduction of pulmonary inflammatory response by erythropoietin in a rat model of endotoxaemia

BACKGROUND

Erythropoietin elicits protective effects in lung tissue injury induced by ischaemic reperfusion and hyperoxia. We investigated the protective roles of erythropoietin in pulmonary inflammation and lung injury during acute endotoxaemia.

METHODS

A total of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: saline group, erythropoietin + saline group, saline + lipopolysaccharide group and erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group. Rats were treated with erythropoietin (3000 U/kg, i.p.) or saline, 30 minutes prior to lipopolysaccharide administration (6 mg/kg, i.v.). Four hours after lipopolysaccharide injection, samples of pulmonary tissue were collected. Optical microscopy was performed to examine pathological changes in lungs. Wet/dry (W/D) ratios, myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde concentrations and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) as well as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta) levels in lungs were measured. The pulmonary expression of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 was evaluated by Western blotting. Differences between the different groups were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

The lung tissues from the saline + lipopolysaccharide group were significantly damaged, which were less pronounced in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group. The W/D ratio increased significantly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group (5.75 +/- 0.22) as compared with the saline group (3.85 +/- 0.20) (P < 0.01), which was significantly reduced in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group (4.50 +/- 0.35) (P < 0.01). Myeloperoxidase activity and malondialdehyde levels increased significantly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group compared with the saline group, which was reduced in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group. The TNF-alpha level of pulmonary tissue increased significantly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group ((9.80 +/- 0.82) pg/mg protein) compared with the saline group ((4.20 +/- 0.42) pg/mg protein, P < 0.01). However, the increase of TNF-alpha level of pulmonary tissue was significantly reduced in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group ((6.50 +/- 0.66) pg/mg protein, P < 0.01). Similarly, pulmonary IL-1beta levels were elevated markedly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group in contrast to the saline group, whereas the elevation was much less in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group. The nuclear localization of p65 increased markedly in the saline + lipopolysaccharide group and this enhancement of nuclear p65 expression was much less in the erythropoietin + lipopolysaccharide group.

CONCLUSION

Erythropoietin attenuates pulmonary inflammation and suppresses TNF-alpha and IL-1beta overproduction during acute endotoxaemia, which is partially mediated by inhibition of NF-kappaB.

Biodegradation of phthalate esters in compost-amended soil

In this study, we investigated the biodegradation of the phthalate acid esters (PAEs) di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethyl hexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in compost and compost-amended soil. DBP (50 mg kg(-1)) and DEHP (50 mg kg(-1)) were added to the two types of compost (straw and animal manure) and subsequently added to the soil; they were tested as a single compound and in combination. Optimal PAE degradation in soil was at pH 7 and 30 degrees C. The degradation of PAE was enhanced when DBP and DEHP were simultaneously present in the soil. The addition of either of the two types of compost individually also improved the rate of PAE degradation. Compost samples were separated into fractions with various particle size ranges, which spanned from 0.1-0.45 to 500-2000 microm. We observed that the compost fractions with smaller particle sizes demonstrated higher PAE degradation rates. When the different compost fractions were added to soil, however, compost particle size had no significant effect on the rate of PAE degradation.

Anaerobic degradation of phenanthrene and pyrene in mangrove sediment

This study investigated the anaerobic degradation of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) phenanthrene and pyrene in mangrove sediment from Taiwan. The anaerobic degradation of PAH was enhanced by the addition of acetate, lactate, pyruvate, sodium chloride, cellulose, or zero-valent iron. However, it was inhibited by the addition of humic acid, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), nonylphenol, or heavy metals. Of the microorganism strains isolated from the sediment samples, we found that strain MSA3 (Clostridium pascui), expressed the best ability to biodegrade PAH. The inoculation of sediment with the strain MSA3 could enhance PAH degradation.

Impact of invasive fungal infection on outcomes of severe sepsis: a multicenter matched cohort study in critically ill surgical patients

Introduction

Fungal infection is increasingly common in critical illness with severe sepsis, but the influence of invasive fungal infection (IFI) on severe sepsis is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact that IFI has on the outcomes of critically ill surgical patients with severe sepsis in China by means of matched cohort analysis; we also evaluated the epidemiologic characteristics of IFI in this population.

Methods

Records for all admissions to 10 university hospital surgical intensive care units (ICUs) from December 2004 to November 2005 were reviewed. Patients who met criteria for severe sepsis were included. IFI was identified using established criteria based on microbiologic or histological evidence. A matched cohort study was conducted to analyze the relationship between IFI and outcomes of severe sepsis.

Results

A total of 318 patients with severe sepsis were enrolled during the study period, of whom 90 (28.3%) were identified as having IFI. A total of 100 strains of fungi (58% Candida albicans) were isolated from these patients. Independent risk factors for IFI in patients with severe sepsis included mechanical ventilation (>3 days), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, coexisting infection with both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and urethral catheterization (>3 days). Compared with the control cohort, IFI was associated with increased hospital mortality (P < 0.001), high hospital costs (P = 0.038), and prolonged stay in the ICU (P < 0.001) and hospital (P = 0.020).

Conclusion

IFI is frequent in patients with severe sepsis in surgical ICUs and is associated with excess risk for hospital mortality, longer ICU and hospital stays, and greater consumption of medical resources.

Epidemiology of severe sepsis in critically ill surgical patients in ten university hospitals in China*

OBJECTIVES

To determine the occurrence rate, outcomes, and the characteristics of severe sepsis in surgical intensive care units in multiple medical centers within China and to assess the cost and resource use of severe sepsis in China.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective, observational study of surgical intensive care unit patients at ten university hospitals in six provinces in China.

PATIENTS

All adult admissions in studied intensive care units from December 1, 2004, to November 30, 2005.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The criteria of severe sepsis were based on the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine Consensus Conference definition. Analysis of data from 3,665 intensive care unit admissions identified 318 (8.68%) cases of severe sepsis, 64.8% of which were men. The median age (interquartile range) of patients with severe sepsis was 64 (47-74) yrs. Microbes had been isolated from 228 (71.7%) patients, including 171 (53.8%) with Gram-negative bacteria and 146 (45.9%) with Gram-positive bacteria. A total of 90 (22.0%) patients had invasive fungal infection, 20 (6.3%) of which had fungemia. The abdomen was the most common site of infections (72.3%), followed by lung (52.8%). The overall hospital mortality of severe sepsis was 48.7%. Risk factors for hospital mortality included age, chronic comorbidity of malignant neoplasm, Gram-positive bacterial infection, invasive fungal infection, admission Acute Physiology Score, and admission Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of respiratory dysfunction and cardiovascular dysfunction. The median Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 score was 43 (38-49). The mean hospital cost was $11,390 per patient and $502 per patient per day.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe sepsis is a common, expensive, and frequently fatal syndrome in critically ill surgical patients in China. Other than the microbiological patterns, the incidence, mortality, and major characteristics of severe sepsis in Chinese surgical intensive care units are close to those documented in developed countries.

Biodegradation of four phthalate esters in sludge

This study investigated the effects of ultrasonic pretreatment and various treatments on the aerobic degradation of four phthalic acid esters (PAEs) such as diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethyl hexyl)phthalate (DEHP) in sludge. The effect on PAE degradation of treating sludge with a 20 min sonication period at a power level of 0.1 W ml(-1) was evaluated. The degradation rates of the four PAEs were DBP>BBP>DEP>DEHP. Degradation rate constants (k(1)) and half-lives (t(1/2)) for the four PAEs (50 mg kg(-1)) ranged from 0.182 to 0.379 day(-1) and 1.8 to 3.8 days, respectively. The optimal pH for PAE degradation in sludge was 7.0 at 30 degrees C. PAE degradation was enhanced by the addition of yeast extract, brij 30 or brij 35 and inhibited by the addition of hydrogen peroxide. Our results show that a combination of ultrasonic pretreatment and biodegradation can effectively remove PAE from sludge.

Biodegradation of nonylphenol in soil

We investigated the effects of various factors (brij 30, brij 35, yeast extract, hydrogen peroxide and compost) on the aerobic degradation of nonylphenol (NP) in soil and characterized the structure of the microbial community in that soil. Residues of NP were measured using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and a change of microbial communities was demonstrated using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The results showed that Taichung sandy clay loam had higher NP degradation rate than Kaoshiung silty clay. The addition of compost, yeast extract (0.5 mg/l), brij 30 (55 microM), or brij 35 (91 microM) enhanced NP degradation, while the addition of hydrogen peroxide (1.0 mg/l) inhibited its degradation. We also found that the addition of various substrates changed the microbial community in the soils. Cytophaga sp. and Ochrobactrum sp. were constantly dominant bacteria under various conditions in the soil.

Plasma glucose levels and diabetes are independent predictors for mortality and morbidity in patients with SARS

AIMS

To investigate the relationships between a known history of diabetes and ambient fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels with death and morbidity rates in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

METHODS

In this retrospective analysis, the clinical and biochemical characteristics of 135 patients who had died from SARS, 385 survivors of SARS and 19 patients with non-SARS pneumonia were compared.

RESULTS

All patients were treated according to a predefined protocol. Before steroid treatment, the mean FPG level was significantly higher in the SARS group (deceased vs. survivors vs. non-SARS pneumonia group: 9.7 +/- 5.2 vs. 6.5 +/- 3.0 vs. 5.1 +/- 1.0 mmol/l, P < 0.01). In the SARS group, the percentage of patients with a known history of diabetes was significantly higher in the deceased patients than in the survivors (21.5% vs. 3.9%, P < 0.01). Among patients with no known history of diabetes and before commencement of steroid therapy, those who had hypoxaemia (SaO(2) < 93%) had higher FPG levels than those who did not have hypoxia in both the survivor (8.7 +/- 4.9 vs. 6.3 +/- 2.1 mmol/l, P < 0.001) and deceased (9.8 +/- 4.8 vs. 7.2 +/- 1.5 mmol/l, P < 0.001) groups. A known history of diabetes [odds ratio (OR) 3.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4, 6.3; P = 0.005] and FPG > or = 7.0 mmol/l before steroid treatment (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4, 7.7, P = 0.006) were independent predictors of death. During the course of the illness, FPG levels were negatively associated with SaO(2) (beta =-0.682 +/- 0.305, P = 0.025, general estimation equation model) in SARS patients. Survival analysis showed that FPG was independently associated with an increased hazard ratio (HR) of mortality (HR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.0, 1.1, P = 0.001) and hypoxia (HR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.0, 1.1, P = 0.002) after controlling for age and gender.

CONCLUSIONS

A known history of diabetes and ambient hyperglycaemia were independent predictors for death and morbidity in SARS patients. Metabolic control may improve the prognosis of SARS patients.

Biodegradation of nonylphenol in sewage sludge

We investigated the effects of various factors on the aerobic degradation of nonylphenol (NP) in sewage sludge. NP (5 mg/kg) degradation rate constants (k1) calculated were 0.148 and 0.224 day(-1) for the batch experiment and the bioreactor experiment, respectively, and half-lives (t(1/2)) were 4.7 and 3.1 days, respectively. The optimal pH value for NP degradation in sludge was 7.0 and the degradation rate was enhanced when the temperature was increased and when yeast extract (5 mg/l) and surfactants such as brij 30 or brij 35 (55 or 91 microM) were added. The addition of aluminum sulfate (200 mg/l) and hydrogen peroxide (1 mg/l) inhibited NP degradation within 28 days of incubation. Of the microorganism strains isolated from the sludge samples, we found that strain CT7 (identified as Bacillus sphaericus) manifested the best degrading ability.

Anaerobic degradation of nonylphenol in sludge

We investigated the effects of various factors on the anaerobic degradation of nonylphenol (NP) in sludge. NP (5 mg/l) anaerobic degradation rate constants were 0.029 1/day for sewage sludge and 0.019l/day for petrochemical sludge, and half-lives were 23.9 days and 36.5 days respectively. The optimal pH for NP degradation in sludge was 7 and the degradation rate was enhanced when the temperature was increased. The addition of yeast extract (5 mg/l) or surfactants such as brij 30 or brij 35 (55 or 91 microM) also enhanced the NP degradation rate. The addition of aluminum sulfate (200 mg/l) inhibited the NP degradation rate within 84 days of incubation. The high-to-low order of degradation rates was: sulfate-reducing conditions>methanogenic conditions>nitrate-reducing conditions. Sulfate-reducing bacteria, methanogen, and eubacteria are involved in the degradation of NP, sulfate-reducing bacteria being a major component of sludge.

Anaerobic degradation of diethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate from river sediment in Taiwan

We investigated anaerobic degradation rates for three phthalate esters (PAEs), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), from river sediment in Taiwan. The respective anaerobic degradation rate constants for DEP, DBP, and DEHP were observed as 0.045, 0.074, and 0.027 1/day, with respective half-lives of 15.4, 9.4, and 25.7 days under optimal conditions of 30 degrees C and pH7.0. Anaerobic degradation rates were enhanced by the addition of the surfactants brij 35 and triton N101 at a concentration of 1 critical micelle concentration (CMC), and by the addition of yeast extract. Degradation rates were inhibited by the addition of acetate, pyruvate, lactate, FeCl3, MnO2, NaCl, heavy metals, and nonylphenol. Our results indicate that methanogen, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and eubacteria are involved in the degradation of PAEs.

Degradation of nonylphenol by anaerobic microorganisms from river sediment

We investigated the degradation of nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO) and nonylphenol (NP) by anaerobic microbes in sediment samples collected at four sites along the Erren River in southern Taiwan. Anaerobic degradation rate constants (k1) and half-lives (t1/2) for NP (2 microg/g) ranged from 0.010 to 0.015 1/day and 46.2 to 69.3 days respectively. For NP1EO (2 microg/g), the ranges were 0.009-0.014 1/day and 49.5-77.0 days respectively. Degradation rates for NP and NP1EO were enhanced by increasing temperature and inhibited by the addition of acetate, pyruvate, lactate, manganese dioxide, ferric chloride, sodium chloride, heavy metals, and phthalic acid esters. Degradation was also measured under three anaerobic conditions. Results show the high-to-low order of degradation rates to be sulfate-reducing conditions > methanogenic conditions > nitrate-reducing conditions. The results show that sulfate-reducing bacteria, methanogen, and eubacteria are involved in the degradation of NP and NP1EO, with sulfate-reducing bacteria being a major component of the river sediment.

Biodegradation of phthalate esters by two bacteria strains

In this study two aerobic phthalic acid ester (PAE) degrading bacteria strains, DK4 and O18, were isolated from river sediment and petrochemical sludge, respectively. The two strains were found to rapidly degrade PAE with shorter alkyl-chains such diethyl phthalate (DEP), dipropyl phthalate (DPrP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP) and diphenyl phthalate (DPP) are very easily biodegraded, while PAE with longer alkyl-chains such as dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCP) and dihexyl phthalate (DHP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) are poorly degraded. The degradation rates of the eight PAEs were higher for strain DK4 than for strain O18. In the simultaneous presence of strains DK4 and O18, the degradation rates of the eight PAEs examined were enhanced. When the eight PAEs were present simultaneously, degradation rates were also enhanced. We also found that PAE degradation was delayed by the addition of nonylphenol or selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at a concentration of 1 microg/g in the sediment. The bacteria strains isolated, DK4 and O18, were identified as Sphigomonas sp. and Corynebacterium sp., respectively.

Protective effects of early treatment with propofol on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats

BACKGROUND

To investigate the effects of propofol administration on acute lung injury in endotoxin-induced shock in rats.

METHODS

Seventy-six male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups: (i) saline control; (ii) endotoxin alone (receiving lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 8 mg kg(-1) i.v.); (iii) pretreatment with propofol 1 h before LPS; (iv) simultaneous treatment with propofol and LPS; (v) post-treatment with propofol 1 h after LPS. During the 5 h after LPS injection, survival rates were recorded. Lung tissue was sampled to measure values of nitrite/nitrates (NO(2-)/NO(3-)) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and wet-to-dry lung weight ratio, pulmonary permeability index, BAL protein and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine (NT).

RESULTS

Compared with the endotoxaemic group, both the pre- and simultaneous treatment groups showed significantly improved 5 h survival rates, and attenuated endotoxin-induced increased BAL fluid NO(2-) /NO(3-) and TNF-alpha, iNOS mRNA and NT expression in lung tissue, and decreased pulmonary microvascular permeability. These beneficial effects were blunted in the post-treatment group.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that early administration of propofol may provide protective effects against endotoxin-induced acute lung injury.

Biodegradation of nonylphenol in river sediment

We investigated the biodegradation of nonylphenol monoethoxylate (NP1EO) and nonylphenol (NP) by aerobic microbes in sediment samples collected at four sites along the Erren River in southern Taiwan. Aerobic degradation rate constants (k1) and half-lives (t1/2) for NP (2 microg g(-1)) ranged from 0.007 to 0.051 day(-1) and 13.6 to 99.0 days, respectively; for NP1EO (2 microg g(-1)) the ranges were 0.006 to 0.010 day(-1) and 69.3 to 115.5 days. Aerobic degradation rates for NP and NP1EO were enhanced by shaking and increased temperature, and delayed by the addition of Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, phthalic acid esters (PAEs), and NaCl, as well as by reduced levels of ammonium, phosphate, and sulfate. Of the microorganism strains isolated from the sediment samples, we found that strain JC1 (identified as Pseudomonas sp.) expressed the best biodegrading ability. Also noted was the presence of 4'-amino-acetophenone, an intermediate product resulting from the aerobic degradation of NP by Pseudomonas sp.

Occurrence and microbial degradation of phthalate esters in Taiwan river sediments

Concentrations and microbial degradation rates were measured for eight phthalate esters (PAEs) found in 14 surface water and six sediment samples taken from rivers in Taiwan. The tested PAEs were diethyl phthalate (DEP), dipropyl phthalate (DPP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), diphenyl phthalate (DPhP), benzylbutyl phthalate (BBP), dihexyl phthalate (DHP), dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). In all samples, concentrations of DEHP and DBP were found to be higher than the other six PAEs. DEHP concentrations in the water and sediment samples ranged from ND to 18.5 microg/l and 0.5 to 23.9 microg/g, respectively; for DBP the concentration ranges were 1.0-13.5 microg/l and 0.3-30.3 microg/g, respectively. Concentrations of DHP, BBP, DCP and DPhP were below detection limits. Under aerobic conditions, average degradation half-lives for DEP, DPP, DBP, DPhP, BBP, DHP, DCP and DEHP were measured as 2.5, 2.8, 2.9, 2.6, 3.1, 9.7, 11.1 and 14.8 days, respectively; under anaerobic conditions, respective average half-lives were measured as 33.6, 25.7, 14.4, 14.6, 19.3, 24.1, 26.4 and 34.7 days. In other words, under aerobic conditions we found that DEP, DPP, DBP, DPhP and BBP were easily degraded, but DEHP was difficult to degrade; under anaerobic conditions, DBP, DPhP and BBP were easily degraded, but DEP and DEHP were difficult to degrade. Aerobic degradation rates were up to 10 times faster than anaerobic degradation rates.

Anaerobic biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in soil

Known concentrations of phenanthrene, pyrene, anthracene, fluorene and acenapthene were added to soil samples to investigate the anaerobic degradation potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). Consortia-treated river sediments taken from known sites of long-term pollution were added as inoculum. Mixtures of soil, consortia, and PAH (individually or combined) were amended with nutrients and batch incubated. High-to-low degradation rates for both soil types were phenanthrene > pyrene > anthracene > fluorene > acenaphthene. Degradation rates were faster in Taida soil than in Guishan soil. Faster individual PAH degradation rates were also observed in cultures containing a mixture of PAH substrates compared to the presence of a single substrate. Optimal incubation conditions were noted as pH 8.0 and 30 degrees C. Degradation was enhanced for PAH by the addition of acetate, lactate, or pyruvate. The addition of municipal sewage or oil refinery sludge to the soil samples stimulated PAH degradation. Biodegradation was also measured under three anaerobic conditions; results show the high-to-low order of biodegradation rates to be sulfate-reducing conditions > methanogenic conditions > nitrate-reducing conditions. The results show that sulfate-reducing bacteria, methanogen, and eubacteria are involved in the PAH degradation; sulfate-reducing bacteria constitute a major component of the PAH-adapted consortia.

Data compression for arterial pulse waveform

The arterial pulse possesses important clinical information in traditional Chinese medicine. It is usually recorded for a long period of time in the applications of telemedicine and PACS systems. Due to the huge amount of data, by recognizing the strong correlation between successive beat patterns in arterial pulse waveform sequences, a novel and efficient data compression scheme based mainly on pattern matching is introduced. The simulation results show that our coding scheme can achieve a very high compression ratio and low distortion for arterial pulse waveform.

Ventral burn in rats: an experimental model for intravital microscopic study of microcirculation

A novel technique of application of controlled ventral scald burn to rodent, whose back is inaccessible because of preburn preparation, is described. Boiling water is applied across a polyethylene membrane that partially envelops the subject. The technique is simple, economical, reproducible and allows intravital microscopic study of microcirculation in a remote muscular bed before and after burn injury.