Fouling potentials of polysaccharides in membrane bioreactors (MBRs) assessed by lectin affinity chromatography

In this study, the fouling potentials of polysaccharides contained in mixed liquor suspension in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating municipal wastewater were investigated using lectin affinity chromatography. This investigation was carried out with different membranes to assess the effects of membrane materials on fouling potentials of polysaccharides. In lectin affinity chromatography, some polysaccharides with high affinity to the lectin in the column can be retained in the column. The fouling potentials of the retained polysaccharides were evaluated by dead-end filtration test. Degree of reduction in fouling potential differed considerably when different lectins were used in affinity chromatography indicating that fouling potentials of polysaccharide differed depending on types of polysaccharide. Trends in the reduction of fouling potential were different depending on membrane materials. Characteristics of the organic matter associated with polysaccharides removed by lectins were investigated by means of excitation-emission matrices (EEM). The results of EEM analysis indicate that the characteristics of the organic matter eluted from different lectins were different as long as elution reagents for the lectin were different. Characteristics of the organic matter eluted from the lectins which have the same elution reagent were similar in terms of shapes of EEM fluorescence spectra. However, the trends in reduction of fouling potentials could not be explained by the characteristics of organic matter assessed by EEM analysis. On the basis of the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that characteristics of membrane and structures or properties of sugar chain would play an important role in determining fouling potentials.

Influence of membrane properties on physically reversible and irreversible fouling in membrane bioreactors

This study aimed to examine the impact of membrane properties on membrane fouling in membrane bioreactor (MBR). Membrane fouling was divided into two categories: physically reversible and irreversible fouling. Membrane properties related to each type of membrane fouling were investigated separately. Five microfiltration (MF) and one ultrafiltration (UF) membranes with different properties (pore size, contact angle, roughness, zeta potential, and pure water permeability) were examined with a laboratory-scale MBR, fed with synthetic wastewater. Two separate experiments were conducted: the first to examine physically reversible fouling, and the second to examine physically irreversible fouling. The correlation between the degree of each type of fouling and membrane properties was studied. High correlation was observed between the degree of physically reversible fouling and roughness (R(2)=0.96). In contrast, with regard to physically irreversible fouling, strong correlation between roughness and degree of membrane fouling can only be found in the case of MF membranes. Except for the membrane with the highest roughness, the degree of physically irreversible fouling can be well correlated with pure water permeability (lower pure water permeability results in higher degree of physically irreversible fouling) including UF membrane. On the basis of the results obtained in this study, it can be concluded that roughness is an important factor in determination of physically reversible fouling regardless of the types of membrane (i.e. MF or UF membranes) and evolutions of physically irreversible fouling can be mitigated when an MBR is operated with membranes with smooth surface and high pure water permeability.

High-resolution spectroscopy of Lambda16N by electroproduction

An experimental study of the (16)O(e,e'K(+))(Lambda)(16)N reaction has been performed at Jefferson Lab. A thin film of falling water was used as a target. This permitted a simultaneous measurement of the p(e,e'K(+))Lambda, Sigma(0) exclusive reactions and a precise calibration of the energy scale. A ground-state binding energy of 13.76+/-0.16 MeV was obtained for (Lambda)(16)N with better precision than previous measurements on the mirror hypernucleus (Lambda)(16)O. Precise energies have been determined for peaks arising from a Lambda in s and p orbits coupled to the p(1/2) and p(3/2) hole states of the (15)N core nucleus.

Roles of aquaporin-3 water channels in volume-regulatory water flow in a human epithelial cell line

Membrane water transport is an essential event not only in the osmotic cell volume change but also in the subsequent cell volume regulation. Here we investigated the route of water transport involved in the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) that occurs after osmotic swelling in human epithelial Intestine 407 cells. The diffusion water permeability coefficient (Pd) measured by NMR under isotonic conditions was much smaller than the osmotic water permeability coefficient (Pf) measured under an osmotic gradient. Temperature dependence of Pf showed the Arrhenius activation energy (Ea) of a low value (1.6 kcal/mol). These results indicate an involvement of a facilitated diffusion mechanism in osmotic water transport. A mercurial water channel blocker (HgCl(2)) diminished the Pf value. A non-mercurial sulfhydryl reagent (MMTS) was also effective. These blockers of water channels suppressed the RVD. RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry demonstrated predominant expression of AQP3 water channel in this cell line. Downregulation of AQP3 expression induced by treatment with antisense oligodeoxynucleotides was found to suppress the RVD response. Thus, it is concluded that AQP3 water channels serve as an essential pathway for volume-regulatory water transport in, human epithelial cells.

[Clinical experience with 16 cases of mediastinal lymphoma]

Sixteen cases of mediastinal lymphoma in our hospital were reviewed clinically. There were 7 men and 9 women, whose mean age is 35 years old. The histological types were non-Hodgkins' disease in 12 (B-cell type in 6 and T-cell type in 6), Hodgkins' disease in 2, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in 2. All cases except 1 in which percutaneous needle biopsy was performed were diagnosed histologically. Even small specimens by percutaneous needle biopsy can be helpful in diagnosing histological type and subtype with immunohistlogy, recommending percutaneous needle biopsy as an mitial step for diagnosis. When histological diagnosis can not be made by needle biopsy, open biopsy should be done.

Measurement of nuclear transparency for the A(e,e'pi+) reaction

We have measured the nuclear transparency of the A(e,e'pi+) process in 2H, 12C, 27Al, 63Cu, and 197Au targets. These measurements were performed at the Jefferson Laboratory over a four momentum transfer squared range Q2=1.1 to 4.7 (GeV/c)2. The nuclear transparency was extracted as the super-ratio of (sigmaA/sigmaH) from data to a model of pion-electroproduction from nuclei without pi-N final-state interactions. The Q2 and atomic number dependence of the nuclear transparency both show deviations from traditional nuclear physics expectations and are consistent with calculations that include the quantum chromodynamical phenomenon of color transparency.

High resolution spectroscopy of (lambda)(12)B by electroproduction

An experiment measuring electroproduction of hypernuclei has been performed in hall A at Jefferson Lab on a 12C target. In order to increase counting rates and provide unambiguous kaon identification two superconducting septum magnets and a ring imaging Cherenkov detector were added to the hall A standard equipment. An unprecedented energy resolution of less than 700 keV FWHM has been achieved. Thus, the observed (Lambda)(12)B spectrum shows for the first time identifiable strength in the core-excited region between the ground-state s-wave Lambda peak and the 11 MeV p-wave Lambda peak.

X-ray phase imaging of biological soft tissue using a direct-sensing x-ray HARP tube camera

A HDTV camera having a direct-sensing x-ray high-gain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor (HARP) tube was used, for the first time, to acquire x-ray phase maps. The tube can achieve a high sensitivity as a result of the avalanche multiplication process in the HARP target. A beryllium plate, rather than a glass plate, was used as the face plate of the tube to minimize the loss of x-rays due to absorption, and a 15 microm thick HARP target was directly formed on it. In the experiment, the x-ray phase shifts produced by a rat liver were measured using synchrotron x-rays (lambda = 0.0766 nm) and a triple Laue-case (LLL) x-ray interferometer. Interference patterns produced by the sample were observed with the direct-sensing x-ray HARP tube camera. A voltage of 1300 V was applied to the HARP target to give an output signal gain of two. The camera was operated in 1125 scanning-line mode, and real-time images were stored on a workstation at a rate of 30 images/s with an image format of 960 (H) x 1100 (V) pixels. A phase-map image of the sample was successfully obtained using the fringe scanning method and phase unwrapping. The observed phase shifts ranged from 50 degrees to 200 degrees . Trees of blood vessels in the rat liver were clearly depicted without using a contrast agent. The spatial resolution of the x-ray camera was estimated to be better than 35 microm in the vertical direction and 100 microm in the horizontal direction.

Incidence of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome in patients on either systemic or topical alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist

PURPOSE

To evaluate the incidence of Intraoperative Floppy Iris syndrome (IFIS) in relation to the usage of alpha(1)-adrenoceptor antagonists.

DESIGN

Prospective, interventional case series.

METHODS

In 2,643 consecutive eyes of 1,968 patients undergoing cataract surgery, occurrence of IFIS and use of alpha(1) antagonists were recorded.

RESULTS

IFIS was observed in 29 eyes (1.1%) of 25 male patients, all of whom were receiving alpha(1) antagonists. In those receiving systemic tamsulosin, alpha(1A) selective antagonist, IFIS developed in 25 (43.1%) of 58 eyes. In those receiving systemic naftopidil, alpha(1A) and alpha(1D) antagonists, IFIS was found in 4 (19.0%) of 21 eyes. There was no case of IFIS in patients who received other systemic alpha(1) antagonists and in eyes treated with bunazosin eyedrops, a nonselective alpha(1) antagonist.

CONCLUSIONS

IFIS occurred in 1.1% of cases treated with systemic alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonists for benign prostatic hypertrophy. Topical nonselective alpha(1) antagonist did not induce IFIS.

Determination of the pion charge form factor at Q2=1.60 and 2.45 (GeV/c)2

The 1H(e,e'pi+)n cross section was measured at four-momentum transfers of Q2=1.60 and 2.45 GeV2 at an invariant mass of the photon nucleon system of W=2.22 GeV. The charged pion form factor (F(pi)) was extracted from the data by comparing the separated longitudinal pion electroproduction cross section to a Regge model prediction in which F(pi) is a free parameter. The results indicate that the pion form factor deviates from the charge-radius constrained monopole form at these values of Q2 by one sigma, but is still far from its perturbative quantum chromodynamics prediction.

Prognostic significance of subcarinal station in non-small cell lung cancer with T1-3 N2 disease

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection may continue to offer the best chance of long-term survival for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Generally, patients with N2 NSCLC have a poor prognosis. However, the surgical treatment of patients with N2 remains controversial as in these patients, some N2 subgroups have better prognoses than others. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the factors associated with N2, and to determine whether such factors are reliable predictors of survival.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 142 non-small cell lung cancer patients with T1-3 N2 in whom a curative approach had been attempted between January 1994 and December 2003. The patients were consequently divided into four groups (NS-1, no subcarinal involvement and without N1; NS-2, no subcarinal involvement and with N1; SI-1, subcarinal involvement and without upper mediastinal site; SI-2, subcarinal involvement and with upper mediastinal site). We also evaluated two groups for N2 stations (single-station N2 versus multiple-station N2). Multivariate analysis by Cox's proportional hazards regression model was performed to identify the prognosis.

RESULTS

Lobectomy was carried out in 105 of the patients; bilobectomy in 10, and pneumonectomy in 27. The patients with T1-3 N2 disease showed survival rates of 34.1 % at 3 years and 24.1 % at 5 years. The overall survival rates at 3 years and 5 years were as follows: NS-1, 56.3 % and 43.2 %; NS-2, 35.4 % and 29.5 %; SI-1, 16.7 % and 0 %; SI-2, 15.4 % and 0 %, respectively. The NS-1 group had better prognoses than the other groups. There was a significant difference in survival rates within each group ( p = 0.0005). In univariate analysis, the type of surgery, type of subcarinal involvement, and multiple-station N2 were significantly associated with prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that NS-1 was only found to be an independent prognostic factor in cases of T1-3 N2 disease ( p = 0.0018). NS-2 was not an independent factor but tended toward significance ( p = 0.0681). But multiple-station N2 was not an independent factor ( p = 0.1549).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for patients with T1-3 N2 NSCLC might be acceptable if subcarinal lymph node metastasis is predicted to be absent.

Inhibition of prostasin-induced ENaC activities by PN-1 and regulation of PN-1 expression by TGF-beta1 and aldosterone

Prostasin has been shown to regulate sodium handling in the kidney. Recently, a serine protease inhibitor, protease nexin-1 (PN-1), was identified as an endogenous inhibitor for prostasin. Therefore, we hypothesized that PN-1 may regulate sodium reabsorption by reducing prostasin activity, and that expression of PN-1 was regulated by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) or aldosterone, like prostasin. cRNAs for epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), prostasin, and PN-1 were expressed in Xenopus oocytes, and the amiloride-sensitive sodium currents (I(Na)) were measured. The effect of TGF-beta1 and aldosterone on the mRNA and protein abundance of PN-1 and ENaC was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting in M-1 cells. Expression of PN-1 substantially decreased prostasin-induced I(Na) by approximately 68% in oocytes. Treatment of M-1 cells with 20 ng/ml TGF-beta1 significantly increased protein expression of PN-1 by 3.8+/-0.5-fold, whereas administration of 10(-6) M aldosterone markedly decreased protein expression of PN-1 to 53.7+/-6.7%. Basolateral, but not apical, application of TGF-beta1 significantly reduced I(eq). To elucidate the involvement of PN-1 in basal ENaC activity, we silenced the expression of PN-1 by using short-interfering RNA. This increased I(eq) by 1.6+/-0.1-fold. Our study indicates that PN-1 could have a natriuretic role by inhibiting prostasin activity and suggests the possibility that aldosterone and TGF-beta reciprocally regulate the expression of PN-1 in renal epithelial cells contributing to salt retention or natriuresis, respectively by an additional mechanism. PN-1 could represent a new factor that contributes to regulation of ENaC activity in the kidney.

Fluoride exposure inhibits protein expression and enzyme activity in the lung-stage larvae ofAscaris suum

Sodium fluoride (NaF) is an anion that has been previously shown to block the moulting process ofAscaris suumlarvae. This study describes moulting and development-specific protein expression profiles ofA. suumlung-stage L3 (AsLL3) following NaF exposure. AsLL3s cultured in the presence or absence of NaF were prepared for protein analysis using two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis. NaF exposure inhibited at least 22 proteins in AsLL3 compared with moulted larvae (i.e. AsLL4). A further comparison of AsLL4 with those of pre-cultured AsLL3 and NaF-exposed AsLL3 revealed 8 stage-specifically and 4 over-expressed proteins. Immunoblot analysis revealed an inhibition by NaF of 19 immunoreactive proteins. Enzyme assay and immunochemical data showed an inhibition of the moulting-specific inorganic pyrophosphatase activity by 41% and a decreased expression in NaF-treated larvae, indicating its significance in the moulting process. A protein spot associated with NaF inhibition was isolated and identified by peptide mass spectrometry and bioinformatics approaches to be a member of 3–hydroxyacyl–CoA dehydrogenase/short-chain dehydrogenase enzyme families. These results have implications for the identification of proteins specific to the moulting process as potential chemotherapeutic targets.

The balance of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA is a predictor of lymph node metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer

A positive association between vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression and lymph node metastasis has been reported in several cancers. However, the relationship of VEGF-C and lymph node metastasis in some cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is controversial. We evaluated the VEGF-C and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) expression in NSCLC samples from patients who had undergone surgery between 1998 and 2002 using real-time quantitative RT–PCR and immunohistochemical staining. We failed to find a positive association between VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 mRNA expression and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. An immunohistological study demonstrated that VEGF-C was expressed not only in cancer cells, but also in macrophages in NSCLC, and that VEGFR-3 was expressed in cancer cells, macrophages, type II pneumocytes and lymph vessels. The VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 ratio of the node-positive group was significantly higher than that of the node-negative group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that VEGFR-3 was mainly expressed in cancer cells. The immunoreactivity of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was roughly correlated to the mRNA levels of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in real-time PCR. VEGF-C mRNA alone has no positive association with lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. The VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 ratio was positively associated with lymph node metastasis in NSCLC. This suggests that VEGF-C promotes lymph node metastasis while being influenced by the strength of the VEGF-C autocrine loop, and the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 ratio can be a useful predictor of lymph node metastasis in NSCLC.

[Clinical analysis of operative and hospital deaths in primary lung cancer]

In our department, there were 313 thoracic surgeries for primary lung cancer from January 1994 to December 2003. We clinically reviewed for the operative and hospital death (n=18, 5.8%). The patients were 16 males and 2 females (70.6 +/- 5.6 years old). The surgical procedures were 4 pneumonectomies, 13 lobectomies (3 bronchoplasties) and 1 partial resection. The mean interval until postoperative death was 122.5 +/- 156.1 days. There were 5 direct operative deaths within 30 days (1.6%). There were 4 cancer deaths, 2 hemoptyses, 2 operative bleeding, 2 thromboses, 2 cerebral hemorrhages, 1 pyothorax, 1 pneumonia, 1 respiratory failure, 1 multiple organ failure after chemotherapy and 2 unexplained deaths. The patients with pneumonectomy or aged significantly had high mortality. For postoperative complications such as hemoptysis or bleeding, perioperative management that takes these issues into consideration is needed. Furthermore, we must carefully review the preoperative evaluation and combined treatment, because there were many cancer deaths among cases showing early recurrence and metastasis.