Inhibitory effect of ammonia nitrogen on specific methanogenic activity of anaerobic granular sludge

A series of batch experiments were conducted in 125 mL serum bottles to assess the toxicity of different concentrations of ammonia nitrogen to the specific methanogenic activity of anaerobic granular sludge from upflow anaerobic sludge bed（UASB） and expanded granular sludge bed（EGSB） reactors. The effects of pH value and temperature on toxicity of ammonia nitrogen to anaerobes were investigated. The results show that the specific methanogenic activity of anaerobic granular sludge suffers inhibition from ammonia nitrogen, the concentrations of ammonia nitrogen that produce 50 % inhibition of specific methanogenic activity for sludge from UASB and EGSB reactor are 2.35 and 2.75 g/L, respectively. Hydrogen utilizing methanogens suffers less inhibition from ammonia mtrogen than that of acetate utilizing methanogens. Hydrogen-producing acetogens that utilize propionate and butyrate as substrates suffer serious inhibition from ammonia nitrogen. The toxicity of ammonia nitrogen to anaerobic granular sludge enhances when pH value and temperature increase. Anaerobic granular sludge can bear higher concentrations of ammonia nitrogen after being acclimated by ammonia nitrogen for 7 d.

Validation of Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire to assess exercise tolerance of Chinese elderly with coronary heart disease

Objective The Veterans Specific Activity Questionnaire （VSAQ） has been used to assess exercise tolerance. Nevertheless, there is no val- idated Chinese version. The aim of this study is to determine whether a questionnaire-based method using the Chinese version of VSAQ （the modified VSAQ） is a practical tool to assess exercise tolerance of Chinese elderly with coronary heart disease. Methods One hundred thirty consecutive elderly patients who were diagnosed with coronary heart disease （CHD） （mean age 68.9 -4- 6.0 years） referred for treadmill exercise testing （TET） for clinical reasons were included in the study. They were asked to complete a questionnaire for clinical characteristics information on age, sex, history, exercise habits, medications, the original VSAQ and the modified VSAQ. We investigated the relationship between exer- cise tolerance in metabolic equivalents （METs） estimated by VSAQ and that obtained by TET. Results The METs by the original VSAQ and the modified VSAQ did not difference significantly （P = 0.528）. The modified VSAQ scores were significantly correlated with the METs oh- mined by TET （r = 0.819, 95% CI： 0.7534）.873, P 〈 0.01）, and the scores of original VSAQ also correlated with the METs by TET （r = 0.804, 95% CI： 0.7454）.854, P 〈 0.01）. The Bland-Altman graph analysis showed few values outside the limits of agrcement, suggesting good precision between the METs estimated by questionnaire and the METs obtained by TET. Conclusions The Chinese version of the VSAQ confirmed its validity and equivalence to the original version, especially when evaluating individuals with coronary heart disease and older adults. The results showed that the VSAQ is a valuable tool to assess the exercise tolerance.

A statistical reappraisal of the relationship between liquid limit and specific surface area, cation exchange capacity and activity of clays

More than 500 datasets from the literature have been used to evaluate the relationships of specific surface area (SSA),cation exchange capacity (CEC) and activity versus the liquid limit (LL).The correlations gave R^2 values ranging between 0.71 and 0.92.Independent data were also used to validate the correlations.Estimated SSA values slightly overestimate the measured SSA up to 100 m^2/g.Regarding the estimated CEC values,they overestimated the measured CEC values up to 20 meq/(100 g).A probabilistic approach was performed for the correlations of SSA,CEC and activity versus LL.The analysis shows that the relations of SSA,CEC and activity with LL are robust.Using the LL values,it is possible to assess other basic engineering properties of clays.

A data-based photonuclear simulation algorithm for determining specific activity of medical radioisotopes

For simulating more accurately neutron or proton production from photonuclear reactions,a data-based photonuclear reaction simulation algorithm has been developed.Reliable photonuclear cross sections from evaluated or experimental database are chosen as input data.For checking the validity of the use of the data-based photonuclear algorithm,benchmarking simulations are presented in detail.We calculate photonuclear cross sections or reaction yield for ~9Be,^(48)Ti,^(133)Cs,and ^(197)Au and compare them with experimental data in the region of incident photon energy below ~30 MeV.While Geant4 can hardly reproduce photonuclear experimental data,results obtained from the data-based photonuclear algorithm are found in good agreement with experimental measurements.Potential application in estimation of specific activity of radioisotopes is further discussed.We conclude that the developed data-based photonuclear algorithm is suitable for an accurate prediction of photoninduced neutron or proton productions.

STUDY ON MAXIMUM SPECIFIC SLUDGE ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT ANAEROBIC GRANULAR SLUDGE BY BATCH TESTS

The maximum specific sludge activity of granular sludge from large scale UASB, IC and Biobed anaerobic reactors were investigated by batch tests. The limitation factors related to maximum specific sludge activity (diffusion, substrate sort, substrate concentration and granular size) were studied. The general principle and procedure for the precise measurement of maximum specific sludge activity were suggested. The potential capacity of loading rate of the IC and Biobed anaerobic reactors were analyzed and compared by use of the batch tests results.

Suppressive effects of antigens on the activity of specific activated lymphocytes : A test to define the specificity of activated lymphocytes

Objective：With the regular mixed lymphocytes culture （MLC） to detect the allograft rejection, the reactivity of the activated lymphocytes （primed lymphocytes） of a recipient shows sometimes increase and sometimes decrease against the antigens from the donor, which is inconsistent with the clinical results. In order to establish a convenient method for testing the specificity of the activated lymphocytes in vitro, so as to know the rejection occurred or not by testing the existence of the specific activated lymphocytes against donor＇s HLA antigens in the recipient＇s peripheral blood. Methods： Anti-IL-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody （anti-IL-2 N-mAb） and immunosuppressors were introduced in this test system in the presence of specific stimulators and activated lymphocytes. Results ： When the activated lymphocytes were chosen from the one-way MLC 4 d to undergo re-stimulation by specific stimulators, the activity of activated lymphocytes in the treatment group was suppressed significantly compared with that in the control group. The result of this test method is consistent with the biopsy in the clinical diagnosis of rejection. Conclusion：h suggests that the activated lymphocytes can be inactivated by specific antigens in certain conditions. This can be a useful tool to define the specificity of the activated lymphocytes.

Effects of Exogenous Amylases and Metal Ions on the Amylase Specific Activities and Starch Degradation of the Upper Leaves of ‘KRK_(26)' during Flue-curing

Objective] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exoge-nous amylases and Ca2＋, Mn2＋ and K＋ on the amylase specific activities and starch degradation of the upper leaves of ＇KRK26＇ planted in Yunnan Province during flue-curing. [Method] The amylase specific activities and starch degradation of the leaves were determined by using spectrophotometry. [Result] The 8 U/g exogenous α-amy-lase could improve the specific activity of the leaf α-amylase at yel owing and color-fixing stages, but could not at stem-drying stage, and similarly, the 80 U/g exoge-nous β-amylase could improved the specific activity of the leaf β-amylase at the yel owing stage and the early period of color-fixing stage. The leaf starch could be enhanced to degrade by the exogenous α- or β-amylases and the enhancing effect of the former was stronger than that of the later. 1.50 mg/ml Ca2＋ improved the specific activity of the leaf （α＋β）-amylase mainly due to its enhancing effect on the leaf α-amylase, and increased the starch degradation. 4 mmol/L Mn2＋ inhibited the leaf α-amylase from yel owing to the early period of color-fixing and the β- and （α＋β）-amylases from the yel owing to the later period of color-fixing, but enhanced the leafα-amylase from the later period of color-fixing to the later period of stem-drying and the β- and （α＋β）-amylases at the later period of stem-drying. Meanwhile, Mn2＋ ham-pered the starch degradation during yel owing, but promoted it from the early period of color-fixing to stem-drying. 1 mg/ml K＋ enhanced the leaf α-, β- and （α＋β）-amy-lases during the yel owing stage, but lowered them from the early period of color-fix-ing to the later period of stem-drying, and always inhibited the leaf starch degrada-tion. [Conclusion] The exogenous α-, β- amylases and Ca2＋ of suitable concentra-tions could be used to treat the tobacco leaves before flue-curing to improve the leaf starch degradation during the curing.

Preparation of activated carbon with low ash content and high specific surface area from coal in the presence of KOH

An activated carbon with ash content less than 10% and specific surface area more than 1 600 m 2 /g was prepared from coal and the effect of K containing compounds in preparation of coal based activated carbon was investigated in detail in this paper. KOH was used in co carbonization with coal, changes in graphitic crystallites in chars derived from carbonization of coal with and without KOH were analyzed by X ray diffraction (XRD) technique, activation rates of chars with different contents of K containing compounds were deduced, and resulting activated carbons were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K and iodine numbers. The results showed that the addition of KOH to the coal before carbonization can realize the intensive removal of inorganic matters from chars under mild conditions, especially the efficient removal of dispersive quartz, an extremely difficult separated mineral component in other processes else. Apart from this, KOH demonstrates a favorable effect in control over coal carbonization with the goal to form nongraphitizable isotropic carbon precursor, which is a necessary prerequisite for the formation and development of micro pores. However, the K containing compounds such as K 2 CO 3 and K 2 O remaining in chars after carbonization catalyze the reaction between carbon and steam in activation, which leads to the formation of macro pores. In the end an innovative method, in which KOH is added to coal before carbonization and K containing compounds are removed by acid washing after carbonization, was proposed for the synthesis of quality coal based activated carbon.

Studies of Hepatitis B Virus-Specific Transfer Factor reparation

制备一种乙型肝炎病毒特异性转移因子制剂 (HBV STF) ,为临床应用提供有价值的实验依据。从人HBsAg阳性胎盘中制备了HBV STF ,并对其理化性质、免疫学活性进行了检测和初步的临床试用。每批样品经无菌试验、热原质检查、动物安全性试验等均符合药典要求。本品最大紫外吸收光谱在 2 5 6± 2nm处 ,E2 60nm/E2 80nm比值大于 2 7。其水解氨基酸含 17种。对人T淋巴细胞E受体的激活试验结果显示 ,HBV STF的Ea RFc平均增高率在 83 47%～ 10 3 48%之间 ,抗原特异性皮肤试验表明HBV STF能刺激小鼠体内T淋巴细胞增殖 ,诱导小鼠跖趾部皮肤的迟发性变态反应。对HBV STF的初步临床试用也取得明显效果 ,显示HBV STF是一种可用于治疗乙肝的安全。

Effect of sulfate on the methanogenic activity of a bacterial culture from a brewery wastewater during glucose degradation

The maximum specific methanogenic activity （SMA） of a sludge originating from a brewery wastewater treatment plant on the degradation of glucose was investigated at various levels of sulfate on a specific loading basis. Batch experiments were conducted in serum bottles at pH 7 and 35℃. A comparison of the values indicates that the SMA of this mixed culture was increased and reached its highest level of 0.128 g CH4 gas COD/（g VSS.d） when biomass was in contact with sulfate at a ratio of 1：0.114 by weight.

Measurement of Infinite Diluted Activity Coefficient of Solvents in Polymer by Inverse Gas Chromatography Method

The infinite diluted activity coefficients of solvents in polyisopropyl methylacrylate was measured using inverse gas chromatography. The solvents used were benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, methanol, ethanol isopropyl alcohol, butyl alcohol, 1,2-dichloroethane, and chloroform. It was observed that the infinite diluted activity coefficient of alcohols are well above those of the other solvents investigated.

Phospholipase C from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus:characterization of catalytic activity

Objective:To study characteristics of phospholipases C(PLCs),their importance for producing microorganisms us well us the potential of their use for industrial purposes.Methods:PLC from Bacillus cereus(B.cereus) D101 was selected as an example of Gram-positive PLCs and PLC from Pseudomanas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa) D183 of Gram-negative ones.Enzymes were partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by membrane dialysis.Partially purified preparations were used to study effect of different factors on activities as well as in substrate specificity tests which were conducted using a turbidimetric assay method.Results:Maximum activity was at pH 7 and 8 and 40 ℃ for P.aeruginosa PLC,and pH 8-10 and 37 ℃ for B.cereus PLC.Both PLCs were inhibited by Pi at 5 mM or higher,whereas,PLC from B.cereus only was inhibited by EDTA.Activity of P.aeruginosa PLC was not affected by removing Zn^(2+) ions from reaction mixture or their replacement with Ca^(2+),Ba^(2+),Mg^(2+) or Mn^(2+)ions.Vis-a-vis,activity of B.cereus PLC was found to be metal ion dependent PLCs from both isolates were relatively thermostable and showed maximum affinity toward phosphatidylcholine.Sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamine were not good substrates and phosphatidylinositol,phosphatidylserine,phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin could be considered nonsubstrates.Conclusions:Human body physiological conditions could favor activity of P.aeruginosa and B.cereus PLCs.These enzymes may participate in phosphate scavenging and virulence of producing isolates but not in autolysis.PLCs from both isolates are potential candidates for industrial use.

Alteration of the Specificity of PstⅠ Restriction Endonuclease

The influence of factors on the subst rate-specificity of Pst Ⅰ restric tion endonuclease has been studied with the method of electrophoresis. The resu lts show that, the specificity of Pst Ⅰ almost can not be influenced by th e sin gle alteration of the concentration of Tris·HCl, Mg 2+ or Na+ in the rea ction s ystem, but it can be altered by the reduction of any two of them. The specificit y can not be altered by the single alteration of pH or the replacement of Mg 2+ w ith Mn 2+. The addition of glycerol or dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) to the rea ction system results in the relaxation of the substrate-specificity of Pst Ⅰ , b ut dim ethylmethylformide, glycol and ethyl alcohol can not bring about the alteration of Pst Ⅰ specificity. Through the method of cloning and sequencing, the nuc leot ides of No.1 and 6 in the recognition sequence of Pst Ⅰ have changed (1C→A or 6 G→T). Used with the enzyme analysis of an artificially synthetic DNA segment co ntaining a special sequence, the nucleotides of No.1 and 6 have both changed (1C →A and 6G→T). The recognition sequence of Pst Ⅰ is speculated to be chan ged from CTGCA↓G to TGCA↓.

Antibacterial Activity of Silicate Bioceramics

Four kinds of pure silicate ceramic particles,CaSiO3,Ca3SiO5,bredigite and akermanite were prepared and their bactericidal effects were systematically investigated.The phase compositions of these silicate ceramics were characterized by XRD.The ionic concentration measurement revealed that the Calcium （Ca） ion concentration were relatively higher in Ca3SiO5 and bredigite,and much lower in CaSiO3 and akermanite.Accordingly,the pH values of the four silicate ceramics extracts showed a positive correlation with the particle concentrations.Meanwhile,by decreasing the particle size,higher Ca ion concentrations can be achieved,leading to the increase of aqueous pH value as well.In summary,all of the four silicate ceramics tested in our study showed antibacterial effect in a dose-dependent manner.Generally,the order of their antibacterial activity against E.coli from strong to weak is Ca3SiO5,bredigite,CaSiO3 and akermanite.

Impact of donor-specific antibodies on the outcomes of kidney graft:Pathophysiology, clinical, therapy

Allo-antibodies, particularly when donor specific, are one of the most important factors that cause both early and late graft dysfunction. The authors review the current state of the art concerning this important issue in renal transplantation. Many antibodies have been recognized as mediators of renal injury. In particular donorspecific-Human Leukocyte Antigens antibodies appear to play a major role. New techniques, such as solid phase techniques and Luminex, have revealed these antibodies from patient sera. Other new techniques have uncovered alloantibodies and signs of complement activation in renal biopsy specimens. It has been acknowledged that the old concept of chronic renal injury caused by calcineurine inhibitors toxicity should be replaced in many cases by alloantibodies acting against the graft. In addition, the number of patients on waiting lists with preformed anti-human leukocyte antigens(HLA) antibodies is increasing, primarily from patients with a history of renal transplant failure already been sensitized. We should distinguish early and late acute antibody-mediated rejection from chronic antibody-mediated rejection. The latter often manifets late during the course of the posttransplant period and may be difficult to recognize if specific techniques are not applied. Different therapeutic strategies are used to control antibody-induced damage.These strategies may be applied prior to transplantation or, in the case of acute antibody-mediated rejection, after transplantation. Many new drugs are appearing at the horizon; however, these drugs are far from the clinic because they are in phase Ⅰ-Ⅱ of clinical trials. Thus the pipeline for the near future appears almost empty.

Characterization of the Activity, Mineralogy and Correlations between the Properties of Clayey Soils

The activity is related to the mineralogy and geological history of clays. Soils with the same value of the liquidity limit or plasticity index can have very different characteristics depending on the amount and type of clay minerals. The methylene blue value characterizes the activity of the clays and reflects the surface activity. Ten inactive soils contain minerals (kaolinite, illite), these soils absorb little water. Two swelling soils have normal activity and are composed of minerals (kaolinite, illite, Montmorillonite). The relationships between clayey soils properties, their activities and between the activity and the liquidity limit are defined. The correlations obtained are linear fit and exponential and sigmoidal fits. The correlations obtained with a coefficient of determination of R2 (0.859 - 0.999) can be used to characterize and predict certain parameters of fine-grained soils as a function of clay content.

Cell Type Specific Expression of CD80 （B7-1） Gene in Murine

The CD80 （B7-1） costimulatory molecule is expressed on the surface of B cells and its expression is transcriptionally upregulated upon stimuli. To identify the region of murine CD80 promoter that direct cell type specific gene expression, four promoters construct of CD80 gene were generated with DNA fragments fused to the GFP reporter gene. In the present study, significant promoter activity was detected with all four promoter constructs only in the murine B lymphocyte. Further, the CD80 promoter region extending from -3,005 bp to ＋273 bp in relation to the previously reported transcription start site, was identified as tissue specific region. Interestingly, the shortest 700 bp （-427/＋273） of promoter fragment was sufficient to direct the CD80 gene expression. The level of CD80 expression was also found to be modulated by exogenous stimuli in B lymphocyte. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the CD80 gene expression is regulated at the level of transcription where the inducible CD80 gene transcript was detected in B lymphocyte with increasing time.

STUDY ON THE STRUCTURE OF ARTIFICIAL SILICA FUME AND THE ACTIVITY OF VOLCANIC ASH

The present experimental technique is used to study the image, crystal phase, pore structure and microstructure of artificial silica fume, and the experimental results show that artificial silica fume is a non-crystalline and porous matter with a high specific surface area and the high activity of volcanic ash. Therefore, it is a type of ideal material which can replace silica fume. (Author abstract) 5 Refs.

主动靶向肾脏作用纳米颗粒在非肿瘤性肾脏疾病中的研发现状

背景:目前治疗肾脏疾病的药物种类较少,部分系统使用药物存在全身不良反应较大、在体内循环被迅速降解等问题。目前具有主动靶向作用的纳米颗粒相关研究成为药物递送领域的热点,与纳米颗粒主动靶向相关的病理基础探索也在不断深入。目的:归纳总结目前常见肾脏疾病中已有研究的主动靶向策略。方法:第一作者及第二作者检索中国知网、万方数据库和维普数据库、PubMed数据库,以“Nanoparticles,active targeting,target,kidney,kidney disease”为英文检索词,以“纳米颗粒,纳米粒子,靶向,主动靶向,肾脏疾病,肾脏”为中文检索词,检索2023-07-02前发表的所有相关文献,并对文献进行了筛选、归纳、总结,最后纳入62篇文献进行综述。结果与结论:具有主动靶向作用的纳米粒子在多种常见肾脏疾病中已有研究。主动靶向作用的机制主要是配体受体结合,通过在纳米粒子上修饰配体将其特异性导向肾脏内细胞上的受体,实现主动靶向。在不同肾脏病理条件下,肾脏特定部位的病理变化可能成为主动靶向实现的关键突破点。虽然具有肾靶向作用的纳米颗粒在非肿瘤性肾脏疾病中已有初步研究,但所有研究均处于动物体内实验阶段,距离将这些研究成果应用于医疗工作还要走很远的道路。