An emergency decision support system for the marine pollution

The paper introduces the research progress in an emergency decision support system for marine pollution （EDSS） in China seas and elaborates on the possible role of the Neutron Activation Analysis （NAA） method therein. To deal with the increasingly grave situation of offshore pollution, the EDSS for China seas has been researching and developing. Based on the prediction and analysis of the ocean three-dimensional current field, this system makes an inference on the possible path of diffusion and influencing area of marine pollutants and possible location of pollution source, and in combination with the environmentally sensitive information related to the technical integration of GIS, it puts forward the decision, making support for minimizing the hazard caused by pollutants. This system has been operationalized and running for many years on the Bohai and Huanghai seas＇ Marine Pollutants Prediction and Early-Warning, and it has achieved successful experience for many times in the emergencies of China＇s coastal pollution accidents. At present, the environmental guarantee system directed against heavy metals and radioactive pollutants is in the experimental stage. As the NAA method is especially applicable to the detection of part of heavy metals and radioactive substances, it is of very important practical value for the new system to realize the monitoring, prediction and early-warning of ocean heavy metals and radioactive pollutants.

Soil Heavy Metal Pollution Around the Dabaoshan Mine,Guangdong Province,China

Soil contamination in the vicinity of the Dabaoshan Mine, Guangdong Province, China, was studied through determi- nation of total concentrations and chemical speciation of the toxic metals, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results showed that over the past decades, the environmental pollution was caused by a combination of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb, with tailings and acid mine drainage being the main pollution sources affecting soils. Significantly higher levels （P ≤ 0.05） of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb were found in the tailings as compared with paddy, garden, and control soils, with averages of 1486, 2516, 6.42, and 429 mg kg^-1, respectively. These metals were continuously dispersed downstream from the tallings and waste waters, and therefore their concentrations in the paddy soils were as high as 567, 1 140, 2.48, and 191 mg kg^-1, respectively, being significantly higher （P ≤ 0.05） as compared with those in the garden soils. The results of sequential extraction of the above metals from all the soil types showed that the residual fraction was the dominant form. However, the amounts of metals that were bound to Fe-Mn oxides and organic matter were relatively higher than those bound to carbonates or those that existed in exchangeable forms. As metals could be transformed from an inert state to an active state, the potential environmental risk due to these metals would increase with time.

Structural Variation Analysis of Mutated Nannochloropsis oceanica Caused by Zeocin Through Genome Re-Sequencing

Zeocin can cause double strand breaks of DNA and thus may be employed as a mutagen. In this study, two strains of Nannochloropsis oceanica, the wild and the Zeocin-tolerant strains, were re-sequenced to verify such function of Zeocin, The results showed that Zeocin can mutate the N. oceanica genome and cause the structural variation. Zeocin either swept away or selected the alleles of genes functioning in ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, ribosome biogenesis, and circadian rhythm, indicating that N. oceanica may have adjusted its metabolic performances for protein, carbohydrate, and lipid, and changed its ribosome biosynthesis and living rhythm to survive in Zeocin containing medium. In addition, Zeocin caused mutation may have influenced the expression of a set of tanscription factors. It was concluded that Zeocin effectively caused the structural variation of the genome of N. oceanica, and forced the microalgae to select out the alleles of a set of genes around these variations in order to adapt to Zeocin containing medium. Further studies on the genetic basis of the phenotypic adaptation of this haploid and asexual microalga and the application of Zeocin to its genetic improvement are very important.

GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND CONTAMINATION INDEX MAPPING IN CHANGCHUN CITY,CHINA

Groundwater in Changchun City, Jilin Province of China tends to be influenced by human activities. Chemical types of groundwater were detected in both shallow and deep groundwater were: HCO3--Ca2+ and HCO3--Ca2+·Mg2+ or HCO3--Mg2+·Ca2+; SO42--Ca2+ and SO42--Ca2+·Mg2+; Cl--Ca2+; and CO32--Na+. The deteriorations of groundwater quality due to the increase of TDS, NO3-+ NO2-(as Nitrogen) and TH contents have been observed from 1991 to 1998. Scatter analyses showed strong positive correlations between Ca2+, Cl-and NO3-ions and weak negative correlations between the depth of water table and Ca2+, SO42-, Cl-and NO3-ions. A mapping of contaminant index based on Chinese standard of groundwater showed that a large proportion of the groundwater in 1998 was deteriorated by human process. Despite their low values of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), the most of the sampled wells were not suitable for drinking and agriculture purposes due to higher contents of NO3-, NO2-and Mn2+ ions.

Survey of molecular profiling during human colon cancer development and progression by immunohistochemical staining on tissue microarray

AIM： To explore the molecular events taking place during human colon cancer development and progression through high-throughput tissue microarray analysis. METHODS： We constructed two separate tissue microarrays containing 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm cylindrical samples acquired from 112 formalin-fixed and paraffinembedded blocks, including carcinomas （n = 85）, adenomatous polyps （n = 18）, as well as normal paracancerous colon tissues （n = 9）. Immunohistochemical staining was applied to the analysis of the consecutive tissue microarray sections with antibodies for 11 different proteins, including p53, p21, bcl-2, bax, cyclin D1, PTEN, p-Aktl, β-catenin, c-myc, nm23-h1 and Cox-2. RESULTS： The protein expressions of p53, bcl-2, bax, cyclin D1, β-catenin, c-myc, Cox-2 and nm23-h1 varied significantly among tissues from cancer, adenomatous polyps and normal colon mucosa （P = 0.003, P = 0.001, P = 0.000, P = 0.000, P = 0.034, P = 0.003, P = 0.002, and P = 0.007, respectively）. Chi-square analysis showed that the statistically significant variables were p53, p21, bax, β-catenin, c-myc, PTEN, p-Aktl, Cox-2 and nm23-h1 for histological grade （P = 0.005, P = 0.013, P = 0.044, P = 0.000, P = 0.000, P = 0.029, P = 0.000, P = 0.008, and P = 0.000, respectively）, β-catenin, comyc and p-Akt1 for lymph node metastasis （P = 0.011, P =0.005, and P = 0.032, respectively）, β-catenin, c-myc, Cox-2 and nm23-h1 for distance metastasis （P = 0.020, P = 0.000, P = 0.026, and P = 0.008, respectively）, and cyclin D1, β-catenin, c-myc, Cox-2 and nm23h1 for clinical stages （P = 0.038, P = 0.008, P = 0.000, P = 0.016, and P = 0.014, respectively）. CONCLUSION： Tissue microarray immunohistochemical staining enables high-throughput analysis of genetic alterations contributing to human colon cancer development and progression. Our results implicate the potential roles of p53, cyclin D1, bcl-2, bax, Cox-2, β-catenin and c-myc in development of human colon cancer and that of bcl-2, nm23-h1, PTEN and p-Akt1 in progression of human colon cancer.

Heavy Metal Distribution Map in Soil by Using GIS Techniques

A detailed investigation was conducted to understand the contamination characteristics and distributions of heavy metal pollution in terms of contributions of the heavy metal concentrations as mg/kg ofCd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Fe and Mn in the urban soil in Eskisehir city center. The amount of these heavy metals were determined from 15 soil sample points collected within urban area and every sample point included 6 separated samples for chemical analyses. The results indicated that concentration values of all metals except Ni and Cr in soils were below the risky limit pollution values which are recommended by Turkey Ministry of Environment and Forestry in some sample points. Spatial distribution maps were created and recoded, in terms of these heavy metals concentrations as contribution to heavy metal pollution in soil, through Geographical Information Systems techniques. As a result, risky areas were modeled in terms of contamination of heavy metal and it is shown that, every different risky area can be interpreted based on buildings in city center quickly and easily.

Transport and transformation of nitrobenzene in Songhua River and calculation of flux and remnant based on quantification analysis

To evaluate the long-term environmental effect of the nitrobenzene precipitated into Songhua River caused by the explosion accident of CNPC Jilin Petrochemical Company, we have proved that three selected cross sections were all in a completely mixed state which was not affected by the neighborhood flow firstly. The research of the main flux of contaminants indicates that the nitrobenzene flux in all cross sections is less and less, and the attenuation trend is gradually slowing down. From the residual remnant of nitrobenzene in different segments calculated according to the related experimental data, we suppose that parts of nitrobenzene remnant are transferred by the bottom sludge adsorption and resolution. A general analysis model was set up from the one-dimensional counter-flow equation, and functions of atmosphere-water exchange process, deposit-water interaction, and river turbulent mixing and dissemination. The results of this quantification analysis are different from the real calculation, while the gross transformation trend is the same, which indicates that both analyses are based on reality and can reflect the transport and transformation of nitrobenzene actually.

Indoor Particle Contamination in Airlaid Papermaking Workshop

An onsite testing based on eight-site air sampling was carried out in an airlaid papermaking workshop in Tianjin, China. By theoretical calculation, super absorbent polymer （SAP） size and its existent state in indoor static airflow were obtained. SAP content in the sampled air was tested through chemical analysis method and found to be 3.0-7.2 times that of the human health limit in production areas. The concentrations of total suspending particles （TSP） and respirable particles were achieved by weighing. Particles of the most concern differ for varied function areas. Particles smaller than 10μm are mostly produced in the main production process, and 73%-90% particles generated in packing areas are larger than 10μm. SAP raw material particles can easily changed to suspending form by inevitable extrusion and frication. Correlation between respirable particles and TSP agrees well with that in atmospheric environment.

Reference Gene Selection for Normalization of PCR Analysis in Chicken Embryo Fibroblast Infected with H5N1 AIV

Chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) are among the most commonly used cells for the study of interactions between chicken hosts and H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV).In this study,the expression of eleven housekeeping genes typically used for the normalization of quantitative real-time PCR (QPCR) analysis in mammals were compared in CEFs infected with H5N1 AIV to determine the most reliable reference genes in this system.CEFs cultured from 10-day-old SPF chicken embryos were infected with 100 TCID50 of H5N1 AIV and harvested at 3,12,24 and 30 hours post-infection.The expression levels of the eleven reference genes in infected and uninfected CEFs were determined by real-time PCR.Based on expression stability and expression levels,our data suggest that the ribosomal protein L4 (RPL4) and tyrosine 3-monooxygenase tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta polypeptide (YWHAZ) are the best reference genes to use in the study of host cell response to H5N1 AIV infection.However,for the study of replication levels of H5N1 AIV in CEFs,the β-actin gene (ACTB) and the ribosomal protein L4 (RPL4) gene are the best references.

Improved Genetic Algorithm and Its Performance Analysis

Although ge ne tic algorithm has become very famous with its global searching, parallel computi ng, better robustness, and not needing differential information during evolution .However, it also has some demerits, such as slow convergence speed. In this pap er, based on several general theorems, an improved genetic algorithm using varia nt chromosome length and probability of crossover and mutation is proposed, and its main idea is as follows:at the beginning of evolution, our solution with sho rter length chromosome and higher probability of crossover and mutation; and at the vicinity of global optimum, with longer length chromosome and lower probabil ity of crossover and mutation. Finally, testing with some critical functions sho ws that our solution can improve the convergence speed of genetic algorithm sign ificantly, its comprehensive performance is better than that of the genetic algo rithm which only reserves the best individual.

A new nanocluster polyoxomolybdate [Mo_(36)O_(110)(NO)_4(H_2O)_(14)]·52H_2O:Synthesis, characterization and application in oxidative degradation of common organic dyes

Polyoxomolybdate [Mo36O110（NO）4（H2O）14].52H2O was synthesized by a simple one-pot procedure through reducing an acidified mixture of Na2MoO4.2H2O and NH2OH. HCl. In order to create a heterogeneous catalyst system, the polyoxomolybdate was pillared with MgAI-LDH-NO3 by direct ion exchange. These novel materials were carefully analyzed by various chemico-physical methods, The catalytic degradation of methylene blue （MB） and rhodamine B （RB） as common dyes in the presence of MgAl-LDH-1 nanoparticles with aqueous hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, as an oxidizing agent was studied in aqueous solution at room temperature. More importantly, the catalyst can be recovered and reused efficiently up to five consecutive cycles with negligible loss of catalytic activity.

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 ICP27 Protein:Its Expression, Purification and Specific Antiserum Production

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the causative agent of cold sores and other more serious diseases. HSV-1 infected-cell protein 27 (ICP27) is an immediate-early regulatory phosphoprotein homologous to gene products identified in all classes of herpesviruses so far. To raise the antiserum to ICP27 for further characterization of its biological function, the ICP27 gene was cloned into the pET-28a (+) vector, then ICP27 protein was expressed in E. coli and purified by nickel-nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni 2+ -NTA) affinity resin column, finally the purified protein was used to raise antiserum. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the antiserum recognized the recombinant protein, and the antiserum was able to probe the ICP27 in HSV-1 infected cells with high specificity by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Therefore, the specific antiserum will provide a valuable tool for further studies investigating ICP27's biological function during HSV-1 infection.

Increased expression of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans in rat hepatocellular carcinoma tissues

AIM:To investigate the expression of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans(CSPGs)in rat liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups:control group(n=10) and HCC model group(n=20).Rats in the HCC model groups were intragastrically administrated with 0.2%(w/v)N-diethylnitrosamine(DEN)every 5 d for 16 wk,whereas 0.9%(w/v)normal saline was administered to rats in the control group.After 16 wk from the initiation of experiment,all rats were killed and livers were collected and fixed in 4%(w/v)paraformaldehyde.All tissues were embedded in paraffin and sectioned.Histological staining(hematoxylin and eosin and Toluidine blue)was performed to demonstrate the onset of HCC and the content of sulphated glycosaminoglycan(sGAG).Immunohistochemical staining was performed to investigate the expression of chondroitin sulphate(CS)/dermatan sulphate(DS)-GAG,heparan sulphate(HS)-GAG,keratan sulphate(KS)-GAG in liver tissues.Furthermore,expression and distribution of CSPG family members,including aggrecan,versican,biglycan and decorin in liver tissues,were also immunohistochemically determined.RESULTS:After 16 wk administration of DEN,malignant nodules were observed on the surface of livers from the HCC model group,and their hepatic lobule structures appeared largely disrupted under microscope.Toluidine blue staining demonstrated that there was an significant increase in sGAG content in HCC tissues when compared with that in the normal liver tissues from the control group[0.37±0.05 integrated optical density per stained area(IOD/area)and 0.21± 0.01 IOD/area,P<0.05].Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that this increased sGAG in HCC tissues was induced by an elevated expression of CS/DS(0.28±0.02 IOD/area and 0.18±0.02 IOD/area,P< 0.05)and HS(0.30±0.03 IOD/area and 0.17±0.02 IOD/area,P<0.01)but not KS GAGs in HCC tissues.Further studies thereby were performed to investigate the expression and distribution of several CSPG components in HCC tissues,including aggrecan,versican,biglycan and decorin.Interestingly,there was a distinct distribution pattern for these CSPG components between HCC tissues and the normal tissues.Positive staining of aggrecan,biglycan and decorin was localized in hepatic membrane and/or pericellular matrix in normal liver tissues;however,their expression was mainly observed in the cytoplasm,cell membranes in hepatoma cells and/or pericellular matrix within HCC tissues.Semi-quantitative analysis indicated that there was a higher level of expression of aggrecan(0.43± 0.01 and 0.35±0.03,P<0.05),biglycan(0.32±0.01 and 0.25±0.01,P<0.001)and decorin(0.29±0.01 and 0.26±0.01,P<0.05)in HCC tissues compared with that in the normal liver tissues.Very weak versican positive staining was observed in hepatocytes near central vein in normal liver tissues;however there was an intensive versican distribution in fibrosis septa between the hepatoma nodules.Semi-quantitative analysis indicated that the positive rate of versican in hepatoma tissues from the HCC model group was much higher than that in the control group(33.61%and 21.28%,P <0.05).There was no positive staining in lumican and keratocan,two major KSPGs,in either normal or HCC liver tissues.CONCLUSION:CSPGs play important roles in the onset and progression of HCC,and may provide potential therapeutic targets and clinical biomarkers for this prevalent tumor in humans.

Clinicopathologic features and immunohistochemical analysis of 67 gastric adenoma patients

Objective： The aim of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features of gastric adenoma. Methods： Sixty-seven cases of adenoma diagnosis of gastric biopsy specimens using light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and follow-up methods were studied. Results： Histopathology of gastric adenoma characteristics： nuclear anaplasia, showing increase of nuclear volume and irregular, and the emergence of one or more nucleoli, mitotic ≤ 2/10 high power field （HPF）. Structural changes in the gland： adenoma of the duct much more consistent, sometimes the size of the gland and irregular contour, might be associated with intestinal metaplasia. Increased significantly when the nuclear volume, mitotic 〉 2/10 HPF, irregular gland distortion, branched structures, suggesting the development of adenomas. Immunophenotype： tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens had a higher expression; adenomatous polyposis coli gene （APC） and carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA） expression of closely related with the formation of adenoma. Mucin muc-2 high expression was negatively correlated with muc-1 low expression, the combination of both can help to determine the development and changes in gastric adenoma. Survivin, Bcl-2, p21 and p53 protein expression rare cases, four were combined with the malignant transformation of gastric adenoma was important discriminant. Ki-67 positive cells 20%-40%, and could be used as degree of cell proliferation, a reference indicator of prognosis. Thirty-six to 49 months of follow-up results showed that cured 44.8% （30/67）, there adenomatous hyperplasia 35.8% （24167）, with the development of dysplasia showed 14.4% （11/67）, the development of intramucosal carci- noma were 3.0% （2/67）. Conclusion： Gastric adenomas occur significantly increased nuclear volume, mitotic 〉 2/10 HPF, ir- regular gland distortion, branch-like structure; immunohistochemical staining showed positive expression of muc-2 decreased, muc-1 positive expression; cell proliferation index Ki -67 〉 40%; p21, p53 protein expression occurred, suggesting a tendency to cancer, endoscopic mucosal resection should be as soon as possible.

Analysis of petroleum hydrocarbons in mangrove sediments of Red Sea of Yemen

A field work has been carried out to identify the occurrence of oil and oil products pollution in mangrove sediment from Red Sea of Yemen. The concentration of total petroleum hydrocarbons is from 700ng/g at Kamaran Island station to 400 ng/g at Al-Hodiedah station, and the total organic carbon (TOC) in samples ranges from 0.07% at Dhubab station to 0.03% at Kamaran Island station. This pollution is as a result of localized oil pollution and/or heavy ship traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

Heavy Metal Analysis in Groundwater in the Vicinity of Distillery Spent Wash Evaporation Ponds

The study was conducted to assess the effect of evaporation ponds of an ethanol distillery spent wash on groundwater, with a reference to heavy metal contamination. The distillery discharging 11,880 m3 spent wash per day is extremely loaded with minerals and chemical oxygen demanding organic substances. The groundwater around the evaporation ponds is used for drinking and irrigation purposes. Thirty-five representative samples （three spent wash, two drainage water and 30 groundwater） were examined for 13 different parameters： pH, TDS （total dissolved solids）, COD （chemical oxygen demand）, the heavy metal Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, Pb and As concentrations. The physico-chemical parameters were found in following range pH 7.2-7.7 ＆ 6.8-7.7, TDS 24,448-28,608 mg/L ＆ 302-4,406 mg/L, COD 20,080-24,320 mg/L ＆ 0.0-53 mg/L, Cd 190-140 μg/L ＆ 1.5-8.7 μg/L, Co 1,240-1,987 μg/L ＆ 20.5-87.2 μg/L, Cr 1,020-1,330 μg/L ＆ 14.4-38.1 μg/L, Cu 5,200-6,300 μg/L ＆ 15.0-109.3 μg/L, Fe 2,910-3,242 μg/L ＆ 0-860 μg/L, Mn 49,900-59,500 μg/L ＆ 16.3-138.7 μg/L, Ni 1,430-1,760 μg/L ＆ 8.0-107.7 μg/L, Zn 3,359-5,250 μg/L ＆ 0.0-850 μg/L, Pb 8.9-9.8 μg/L ＆ BD （below detection）-8.7 μg/L, As 5.0 μg/L ＆ BD-10.0 μg/L for spent wash and groundwater samples, respectively. The drainage water samples had parameters within limits for industrial effluents. The spent wash samples contained metal ions higher than the permissible limits for industrial effluents and the samples of groundwater collected around the evaporation ponds contained higher concentrations of metal ions as compared to samples collected away from the evaporation ponds. Coefficient of correμtion among 11 parameters was calcuμted and contamination index was also determined, 33.3% of groundwater samples mostly collected around evaporation ponds had a contamination index above 3 and are considered extremely polluted.

Applied research of correspondence analysis method in waste tailings reservoir heavy metal pollution monitoring points optimization

In order to optimize monitoring points and monitoring factor, the relationshipbetween pollutants and soil sample were established by correspondence analysis.Thestudy results show that the reflecting monitoring points and monitoring factors in thegraphic on the same factor axis can clearly express the intrinsic link between pollutantsand monitoring points and distribution characteristics.To determine the main monitoringpoint and the main monitoring indicators can reduce and optimize the number of monitoringpoints under the premise of ensuring the typical and representative of monitoring data.Using the correlation of pollutants can reduce the number of monitoring indicators and improvethe effectiveness of data collection.

Expression of Hpa and CD222 in bladder carcinoma and analysis of clinico-pathologic correlation

Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the relationships between the clinico-pathologic features and the heparanase(Hpa) and CD222 expressions in bladder carcinoma. Methods: The expressions of Hpa and CD222 in 95 bladder carcinoma specimens and 20 paraneoplastic bladder tissues(controls) were assessed using the immunohistochemical staining method. Results: The positive expression rates of Hpa and CD222 in bladder carcinoma were 68.42% and 61.05%, respectively. The positive rate of Hpa was significantly higher in the carcinoma specimens than in the control specimens(P < 0.01). Similarly, the Hpa expression in the invasive bladder carcinoma was significantly higher than that in the non-invasive bladder carcinoma(P < 0.01). A positive correlation was observed between the expressions of Hpa and CD222(P < 0.05). The expressions of Hpa and CD222 were significantly correlated with lymphatic invasion and TNM staging(P < 0.05). The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in negative expression of the Hpa group than that in the positive expression group(P < 0.05). Compared with the non-co-positive expression group, the 5-year survival rate in the co-positive expression of Hpa and CD222 group was significantly lower(P < 0.05). Conclusion: High Hpa and CD222 expressions in tumor tissues were associated with the occurrence and development of bladder carcinoma. Our results provide helpful information for the further diagnosis and therapy of bladder carcinoma.

Relationship Population Density of Aquatic Sediment Macrozoobenthos to River Water Quality Parameters： Case Study of Upstream Citarum River in Bandung Regency

The increase in anthropogenic activities occur along the upstream of Citarum River Basin （CRB） in Bandung regency had a negative impact to the water quality caused by the presence of human activity, it will be able to be a disruption to the ecosystem aquatic. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of the physical and chemical parameters of water and sediment to the presence of macrozoobenthos populations. Based on the result of Pearson Correlation Analysis （PCA）, the parameters of COD, TOC and silt composition were the highest correlation to the macrozoobenthos population density, the value were 0.966, 0.865 and 0.576. Although PCA analysis is used to determine the relationship between the parameters of water, sediment and sediment particle distribution, the result showed that the water parameters were the mayor component affected the density of macrozoobenthos. While based on the composition of sediment, it is found that substrate as silt, clay and gravel and phosphate parameter affected the density of macrozoobenthos. The measurement of water quality also were calculated by Biotic Monitoring Working Party-Average Score Per Taxon （BMWP-ASPT） index showed that the quality were polluted condition, although by Pollution Index （IP） method showed as a light polluted category.