Total recovery of resources and energy from rice straw using microwave-induced pyrolysis

This article presents the application of microwave-induced pyrolysis to total recovery of resources and energy from rice straw. The microwave power and particle size of feedstock were both key parameters affecting the performance of microwave-induced pyrolysis. Under 400-500W microwave power, the reduction of fixed carbon in the biomass was significant. From the experimental results of specific surface area, zeta potential, and Cu2+ adsorption, the applications of solid residues in the water and wastewater treatment could be expected. The major compositions in gaseous product were H2, CO2, CO, CH4 of 55, 17, 13, 10vol.%, respectively. The high H2 content might imply that microwave-induced pyrolysis of biomass waste has the potential to produce the H2-rich fuel gas. Alkanes, polars, and low-ringed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were three primary kinds of compounds in the liquid product.

Procyanidin induces apoptosis and necrosis of prostate cancer cell line PC-3 in a mitochondrion-dependent manner

Our objective was to study the effects of procyanidin on the cell death of human hormone-resistant prostate carcinoma cell line PC-3 and its mechanism. PC-3 cells were treated with procyanidin of different concentrations. The cell apoptosis rates were detected by annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide double staining followed by flow cytometry (FCM) analysis. Mitochondrial membrane potential (Deltapsim) was analyzed by FCM with rhodamine 123 staining. After 24 hours of treatment with 300 microg/mL procyanidin, the apoptosis rate of PC-3 cells was 44.86%, and Deltapsim was significantly decreased by 87.30%. With the extending of procyanidin treatment, the apoptosis rate decreased whereas the necrosis rate increased. Procyanidin could induce apoptosis and necrosis in PC-3 cells, which might be related to down-regulation of Deltapsim.

One new bufadienolide from Chinese drug "Chan'Su"

A new bufadienolide named 16beta-acetoxy-bufarenogin (1), together with six known bufadienolides, namely, 11alpha,12beta-dihydroxy-bufalin (2), bufotalin (3), hellebrigenin (4), desacetylbufotalin (5), gamabufotalin (6), and resibufagin (7) were isolated from Chan'Su. Of these, 2 was a new natural product. Their structures were elucidated by spectral methods. The cytotoxic activities in vitro of these compounds have been assayed against HeLa cell line. They all showed strong cytotoxic activities.

IPCS: an integrated process control system for enhanced in-situ bioremediation

To date, there has been little or no research related to process control of subsurface remediation systems. In this study, a framework to develop an integrated process control system for improving remediation efficiencies and reducing operating costs was proposed based on physical and numerical models, stepwise cluster analysis, non-linear optimization and artificial neural networks. Process control for enhanced in-situ bioremediation was accomplished through incorporating the developed forecasters and optimizers with methods of genetic algorithm and neural networks modeling. Application of the proposed approach to a bioremediation process in a pilot-scale system indicated that it was effective in dynamic optimization and real-time process control of the sophisticated bioremediation systems.

Stimulated emission as a result of multiphoton interference

By performing an experiment on stimulated emission by two photons in the parametric amplification process and comparing it to a three-photon interference scheme, we present evidence in support of the idea that the underlying physics of stimulated emission is simply the constructive interference due to photon indistinguishability. So the observed signal enhancement upon the input of photons can be interpreted as a result of multiphoton interference of the input photons and the otherwise spontaneously emitted photon from the amplifier.

Four-photon interference with asymmetric beam splitters

Two experiments of four-photon interference are performed with two pairs of photons from parametric downconversion with the help of asymmetric beam splitters. The first experiment is a generalization of the Hong-Ou-Mandel interference effect to two pairs of photons while the second one utilizes this effect to demonstrate a four-photon de Broglie wavelength of lambda/4 by projection measurement.

One new anthraquinone from marine Streptomyces sp. FX-58

One new anthraquinone, 1,8-dihydroxy-2-ethyl-3-methylanthraquinone (1), together with two known compounds octadecanoic acid (2) and cholest-4-en-3-one (3) was isolated from marine actinomycete Streptomyces sp. FX-58. The structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods, especially, the 2D-NMR spectral analysis. The cytotoxic activities of 1 were evaluated in vitro.

An integrated numerical and physical modeling system for an enhanced in situ bioremediation process

Groundwater contamination due to releases of petroleum products is a major environmental concern in many urban districts and industrial zones. Over the past years, a few studies were undertaken to address in situ bioremediation processes coupled with contaminant transport in two- or three-dimensional domains. However, they were concentrated on natural attenuation processes for petroleum contaminants or enhanced in situ bioremediation processes in laboratory columns. In this study, an integrated numerical and physical modeling system is developed for simulating an enhanced in situ biodegradation (EISB) process coupled with three-dimensional multiphase multicomponent flow and transport simulation in a multi-dimensional pilot-scale physical model. The designed pilot-scale physical model is effective in tackling natural attenuation and EISB processes for site remediation. The simulation results demonstrate that the developed system is effective in modeling the EISB process, and can thus be used for investigating the effects of various uncertainties.

A new cyclotetrapeptide from marine fungus Trichoderma reesei

A new cyclotetrapeptide, trichoderide A, was isolated from the marine fungus Trichoderma reesei. The structure was identified by spectral methods, and the stereochemical assignments were made by chiral HPLC of the hydrolyzed compound. Trichoderide A showed moderate cytotoxity against human A375-S2 melanoma cell line.

Demonstration of temporal distinguishability in a four-photon state and a six-photon state

An experiment is performed to demonstrate the temporal distinguishability of a four-photon state and a six-photon state, both from parametric down-conversion. The experiment is based on a multiphoton interference scheme in a recently discovered projection measurement of a maximally entangled N-photon state. By measuring the visibility of the interference dip, we can distinguish the various scenarios in the temporal distribution of the pairs and, thus, quantitatively determine the degree of temporal distinguishability of a multiphoton state.

Sg17-1-4, a Novel Isocoumarin from a Marine Fungus Alternaria tenuis Sg17-1

One novel isocoumarin, named Sg17-1-4, along with two known isocoumarins AI-77-B and AI-77-F were obtained from a marine fungus Alternaria tenuis Sg17-1. Their structures were elucidated based on detailed NMR analysis. The cytotoxicities of these compounds were evaluated in vitro.

Application of aerobic granular sludge in polishing the UASB effluent

Stable aerobic granules were successfully developed in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with glucose and sodium acetate as the main carbon sources, and then they were acclimatized to polish the effluent from an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. It was found that more than 95% chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 85% suspended solids (SS) in the UASB effluent could be removed by an aerobic granular SBR as a post treatment unit. The performance of the SBR was stable over the whole experimental period. At an organic loading rate (OLR) of 4.5 to 5.4 g l(-1) d(-1), the acclimatized aerobic granules had an average diameter of 3.5 to 6.0 mm and a minimal settling velocity of 72 m h(-1). The biomass concentration in the SBR was as high as 8.4 g (dry weight) l(-1). This study showed for the first time that aerobic granular sludge in SBR would be an effective means to polish the effluent from UASB reactor.

Increased frequency of the mannose-binding lectin LX haplotype in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an important complement-activating protein of the human immune system. As a result of one of three structural gene mutations in exon 1 (variants B, C and D) and/or the presence of a low-efficiency promoter polymorphism, MBL deficiency may be associated with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases and to autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Using a combined approach of heteroduplex generator and polymerase chain reaction, a systematic search for mutations in exon 1 and the promoter region of the MBL gene was performed in a Chinese study population comprising 41 SLE patients and 111 healthy controls. Two alleles, a wild-type allele A and a variant allele B (a previously reported mutation of GGC to GAC at codon 54), were identified in MBL exon 1. The frequency of the B allele (0.15) was higher in the SLE patients than in the healthy controls (0.09), but the difference did not attain statistical significance (P > 0.05). However, for two polymorphisms at positions -550 and -221 in the promoter region, the frequency of the low-MBL-producing haplotype (LX) in the patients (0.2073) was significantly higher than that in the controls (0.0855) (P = 0.003, relative risk = 2.79). Our results suggest that the LX haplotype represents a strong risk factor among Chinese SLE patients. Although of lesser importance, the MBL B allele also may be a risk component in the developing process of SLE in Chinese patients.

Violation analysis for solid waste management systems: an interval fuzzy programming approach

This paper introduces a violation analysis approach for the planning of regional solid waste management systems under uncertainty, based on an interval-parameter fuzzy integer programming (IPFIP) model. In this approach, several given levels of tolerable violation for system constraints are permitted. This is realized through a relaxation of the critical constraints using violation variables, such that the model's decision space can be expanded. Thus, solutions from the violation analysis will not necessarily satisfy all of the model's original constraints. Application of the developed methodology to the planning of a waste management system indicates that reasonable solutions can be generated through this approach. Considerable information regarding decisions of facility expansion and waste flow allocation within the waste management system were generated. The modeling results help to generate a number of decision alternatives under various system conditions, allowing for more in-depth analyses of tradeoffs between environmental and economic objectives as well as those between system optimality and reliability.

Quantitative analysis of end-tidal carbon dioxide during mechanical and spontaneous ventilation in infants and young children

Capnography provides a substitute for monitoring of arterial carbon dioxide tension (PCO(2)). We performed a prospective study to evaluate a new application of capnography, using quantitative curve analysis in the pediatric ICU. Twenty-five infants and children admitted to the pediatric ICU after cardiovascular surgery for congenital heart diseases were included in the study. Capnographic curves were recorded during 3 phases of mechanical and spontaneous ventilation: phase 1, immediate postoperative period; phase 3, preextubation period; and phase 2, period between phases 1 and 3. Each recording included 17 sec of capnographic tracings from consecutive spontaneous and/or ventilator-driven breaths. Quantitative curve analysis was made to define parameters including peak value of exhaled PCO(2) (P), mean rate of rise of PCO(2) (R), and area under each capnographic curve (A). Qualitative inspection of the wave contour showed no obvious difference in phase 3 during spontaneous and mechanically assisted ventilator breaths. However, an obvious difference existed between spontaneous and mechanically assisted breaths in phase 2. For each parameter (P, R, and A), there was a significant difference in phases 2 and 3 from spontaneous breaths. However, there was no significant difference in phases 2 and 3 from ventilator-assisted breaths. We further calculated the ratio of parameters of spontaneous breaths (S) and ventilator-assisted breaths (V) in phase 2 and phase 3. The ratio of S/V for P, R, and A showed significant differences between phase 2 and phase 3. We conclude that quantitative analysis of exhaled end-tidal PCO(2) curves revealed significant changes of specific parameters during the transition from the ventilator-dependent state to the spontaneously breathing ventilator-independent state. This new approach provides a new way to estimate respiratory status in infants and children receiving ventilator therapy. Through quantitative capnographic curve analysis, if P, R, and A from spontaneous breaths approached those of ventilator-assisted breaths, patients have resumed reasonable pulmonary mechanics, and extubation may then be considered.

[Determination of puerarin in xinmaitong oral liquid by HPLC]

OBJECTIVE

To develop a method to determine the content of puerarin in Xinmaitong oral liquid.

METHODS

HPLC method was used. The separation was performed on Suntek kromasil C18 column with methanol-water containing 0.5% acetic acid (25:75) as a mobile phase and the wavelength of UV detector was 250 nm.

RESULTS

The linearity of puerarin was good and average recovery was 97.8%.

CONCLUSION

The method is simple, reliable and sensitive. It also shows good resolation. It can be used in quality control of Xinmaitong oral liquid.

Urinary thiodiglycolic acid levels for vinyl chloride monomer-exposed polyvinyl chloride workers

Thiodiglycolic acid (TdGA) is the major metabolite of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) detected in human urine. Although urinary TdGA has been reported to be associated with ambient VCM exposure, the relationship between urinary TdGA and a low level of air VCM is not clear. Questionnaires were administered to 16 polyvinyl chloride manufacturing workers to obtain a detailed history of occupation and lifestyle. For each worker, personal air monitoring for VCM was performed and a time-weighted average for VCM exposure was calculated. The urinary TdGA levels at the end of a work shift, and at the commencement of the next shift, were also assessed for each worker. Urine analysis revealed that TdGA levels at the beginning of the next shift were higher than those at the end of that shift. Workers experiencing a VCM exposure greater than 5 ppm in air revealed a urinary TdGA level significantly greater than those experiencing a VCM exposure of less than 5 ppm (P < 0.05). The best fit of regression for urinary TdGA on air VCM was Y = 1.06 + 0.57X for urine collected at the commencement of the following work shift, where X is the air VCM concentration and Y is the urinary TdGA concentration (r2 = 0.65, P < 0.01). We conclude that the urinary TdGA level is best detected at the commencement of the next shift and that it can be used as an exposure marker for polyvinyl chloride workers when the air VCM level to which they are exposed is greater than 5 ppm.

Simultaneous monitoring of extracellular glucose, pyruvate, and lactate in rat testies during ischemia: a microdialysis study

A dual-probe microdialysis technique was developed for the simultaneous monitoring of glucose and related metabolite levels during testicular ischemia in rats. The determinations of lactate and pyruvate were achieved by liquid chromatography within 5 min. Glucose was determined by a microdialysis analyzer. A unilateral ligation was produced by occlusion of the right artery for 2 or 4 h in anesthetized rats. Microdialysis probes were inserted in both sides of the testis to simultaneously monitor glucose, lactate and pyruvate during basal, ischemia and reperfusion periods. Dynamic and comparative changes in these analytes in ipsilateral and contralateral testes were demonstrated. The present technique can be used as a tool for exploring energy related metabolites and their relationships in testicular ischemia.

Subcutaneous Whole-Body Radionuclide Venography Using Tc-99m In Vivo Tagged Red Blood Cells

PURPOSE

The accurate diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is essential to prevent its complications and to initiate appropriate treatment. Doppler ultrasound (DUS), contrast venography, and intravenous radionuclide venography have been used for many years to detect DVT. However, obtaining venous access in the foot for injection of contrast agent can be difficult.

METHODS

The authors introduce the technique of subcutaneous radionuclide venography using Tc-99m in vivo tagged red blood cells and compare it with DUS, a widely used method. Sixty patients (120 lower extremities) underwent subcutaneous radionuclide venography and DUS.

RESULTS

The concordance rate was 94% in the femoral veins and 95% in the popliteal veins. Subcutaneous radionuclide venography revealed 10 iliac vein thromboses and 2 inferior vena cava thromboses that were not detected by DUS.

CONCLUSIONS

Subcutaneous radionuclide venography is a useful alternative method for detecting DVT. It is particularly valuable for evaluating DVT in the iliac veins and in the inferior vena cava.

A comparison of clinical use of fluticasone propionate and beclomethasone dipropionate in pediatric asthma

Inhaled steroids play a very important role in the prevention and treatment of asthma. Previous studies indicated that fluticasone propionate (FP) had low bioavailability and high local potency. However, the laboratory data in these studies were not obtained among Taiwan population. It is very important that native data should be established. Thus a 12-week research program was designed, involving 77 patients, 51 for FP group and 26 for beclomethasone dipropionate (BD) group. The objects were victims of moderate to severe asthma and their age ranged from 4 to 14 years old. An open, comparative and randomized method was adopted. Except for the 4-week-later daytime symptom score(P = 0.033, BD group was better), no other significant differences were found between the two groups in the symptom score improvement(P > 0.05). All the P-values for the daytime & night-time scores were lower than 0.001, which means obvious improvement after treatment in both groups. P-value for PEF improvement was 0.003 after 4 weeks (BD group was better) and 0.943 after 8 weeks; for FEV1 improvement, it was 0.005 after 4 weeks(BD group was better) and 0.252 after 8 weeks; and for FEV1/FVC improvements, it was 0.067 after 4 weeks and 0.097 after 8 weeks. There was no statistic significance in total eosinophil count (TEC), IgE, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) serum level changes after 4 or 8 weeks. Adverse effects were all anticipated and no statistic significance showed up, either, between the two groups or in the cortisol levels (P > 0.05). In conclusion, native data indicated that the potency of 100 micrograms of FP was equal to that of 200 micrograms of BD and that few side effects were noted in FP group. It is recommended that this drug be introduced for clinical use.

An efficient method for the culture of Helicobacter pylori from gastric biopsies with two-section petri dishes

PURPOSE

Helicobacter pylori is the principal cause of chronic gastritis and is strongly associated with peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, as well as with gastric lymphoma (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue [MALT] type). H. pylori could be recovered by many kinds of media, however, it could not be detected efficiently. This study was trying to ameliorate the isolation and detection rate with selective and non-selective media.

METHODS

First, type strain (ATCC 43504) was cultured with twelve different kinds of sheep blood agar based on brain heart infusion medium for five days. Then five better non-selective media and five selective media were chosen for the biopsy, which were incubated at 37 degrees C in a microaerophilic incubator for five days. Endoscopic biopsies were collected from 623 patients at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.

RESULTS

It was found that non-selective media, which contain 5% modified chocolate agar (the ratio of fresh and heated sheep blood is 2) with 1% Isovitalex, had the best detection rate (91.1 +/- 0.6)%. Furthermore, 5% modified chocolate agar with 1% Isovitalex and 1% antibiotics would increase the detection rate to (97.1 +/- 0.3)%.

CONCLUSIONS

According to Ansorg's method, the best detection rate (98.4 +/- 0.7)% could be obtained with two-section petri dishes which had 5% modified chocolate agar with antibiotics and the other without antibiotics.

Total waste-load control and allocation based on input-output analysis for Shenzhen, south China

The general objective for this paper is to reveal the dynamic relationships between the rapid economic development, water pollution and the subsequent waste-load allocation in different economic sectors through a case-study in Shenzhen City, South China. Two-objective analysis model was employed based on the input-output table for Shenzhen with the full consideration of various constraints in local area. The improved Tchebycheff procedure was used for obtaining the solutions. The predictions were made on economic development and pollutants from wastewater in different sectors and different planning years. The present study allows for the consideration of the economic structural adjustment. It is found that the current situation of economic structure is generally good and is subject to further adjustment in Shenzhen, although it has undergone the rapid development in the past 18 years. When the maximum Gross Domestic Production and the minimum Chemical Oxygen Demand are chosen as the two objectives subject to other constraints, the harmonized results indicated a scheme that claims substantial reduction of polluting effluences in Shenzhen while closely keeping the economic growth rate as planned.

The predisposing factors of coagulase negative staphylococcal bacteraemia in neonatal intensive care unit

Coagulase negative staphylococci are the commonest blood culture isolate from infants on neonatal intensive care units. The differentiation of contaminants from isolates representing true infection remains a significant clinical problem. Data from two neonatal intensive care units were collected prospectively in order to find those parameters, which best correlated with actual sepsis. Each case was assessed using clinical parameters to categorise infants into infection and contaminant groups. Logistic regression was then performed to find significant correlates. Three correlates were found, namely the presence of a long line (P = 0.001), abnormal white cell count (P = 0.037) and abnormal white cell morphology (P = 0.027). Abnormal white cell morphology was assessed by two experienced hematologists. More than half the isolates were probable contaminants and true infection may occur in the absence of a long line in this patient group.

Allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a boy with congenital duodenal obstruction

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EG) is a rare allergy-related disease, especially in early childhood. We present the case of a 1 year 4 month old boy with congenital duodenal obstruction who developed EG. That diagnosis of EG was made by a series of imaging studies and was confirmed by upper gastrointestinal (UGI) endoscopic biopsy studies which showed significant tissue eosinophilia in both mucosal and submucosal layers. No evidence of parasite segment or ova was found in the stool and biopsy specimen. Specific IgE antibodies to milk were estimated to be 2 + (CAP system). Cow's milk allergy was highly suspected but not confirmed by consecutive elimination and challenge tests since the child was too much suffered to be tested. There was partial response to the 2-week treatment with Alfare (semi-elemental formula) and oral prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day. One month after initial examination, perforation of the stomach occurred and exploratory laparotomy disclosed stenosis of the duodenum. Congenital duodenal obstruction was diagnosed based on operative findings and previous sonographic findings. There has been only one report of EG in an infant with congenital duodenal obstruction. The nature of the relationships among cow's milk allergy as a possible etiologic factor, congenital duodenal obstruction as an predisposing factor and EG involvement at both mucosal and submucosal layers remains unclear.