Integrating biofiltration with SVE: A case study

An integrated soil vacuum extraction/ biofiltration system has been designed and installed at a gasoline‐contaminated leaking underground storage tank (LUST) site in southern Delaware. The system remediates contaminated moisture entrained in the air stream, employs automatic water level controls in the filters, and achieves maximum vapor extraction and VOC destruction efficiency with an optimum power input. In addition, the valving and piping layout allows the sequence of air flow through the filters to be reversed at given time intervals, which minimizes biofouling, thereby increasing efficiency by decreasing system backpressure. This integrated system achieves VOC destruction rates of up to 69%. The modular design allows for easy mobilization, setup, and demobilization at LUST sites throughout Delaware.     

Vertical Divergence of Cultured Microfungal Communities Through the Depth in Different Soil Formations at Nahal Nizzana,Western Negev Desert,Israel

We examined the depth-wise distribution of microfungi through 0–50-cm crusted sandy and playa profiles at the Nizzana research site, the Negev desert, Israel. A total of 188 species from 77 genera was isolated using the soil dilution plate method. Density of microfungal isolates sharply decreased with depth highly positively correlating with organic matter content at the sandy profiles. High load of solar radiation (at the surface) as well as strongly limited aeration, water infiltration, and increased salinity (at the playa depth) led to dominance of melanin-containing species with large, multicellular conidia both in the topsoil of all profiles and in the deep playa layers, while at 1–30 cm, species producing light-colored small one-celled conidia mostly prevailed. In that way, the above vertical variations resemble differences in the composition of topsoil microfungal communities found between the sites located in the Negev desert and in the Mediterranean region of Israel.     

Diagnosing amyloid goitre with thyroid aspiration biopsy

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid as a tool for diagnosing amyloid goitre and assess how amyloidosis affects thyroid tissue and thyroid function. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory evaluation of 50 patients with secondary systemic amyloidosis was done, and goitre was found in 38 of them. All 38 patients underwent thyroid aspiration biopsy. Tissue samples were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, May-Grünwald-Giemsa, crystal violet and Congo red. RESULTS: Of the 38 cases of amyloid goitre, 10 showed euthyroid sick syndrome, two showed primary hyperthyroidism, two showed hypothyroidism and one showed subacute thyroiditis. The serum levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone were normal in the remaining patients. Thirty-five of the 38 patients (92%) showed amyloidosis after thyroid aspiration. One of these patients had papillary carcinoma in addition to amyloid goitre. Ten patients underwent subtotal thyroidectomy, and one patient underwent total thyroidectomy after aspiration. Microscopic evaluation revealed that the thyroid parenchyma in all patients was largely replaced with amyloid and adipose tissue. CONCLUSION: Fine needle aspiration of the thyroid is a valuable and sensitive method for diagnosing amyloid goitre, especially because it is a safe and easily performed procedure. Further, amyloid goitre has no significant influence on thyroid function even when it causes extensive parenchyma replacement.     

Estrogen modulates 7/4 antigen distribution within eccentrically contracted injured skeletal muscle

Abstract

Eccentric contractions are skeletal muscle stretches with concurrent active force production; these contractions commonly occur during dynamic sports activities and can cause acute muscle injury. Recovery from this injury depends in part on pro-inflammatory processes, such as neutrophil infiltration at the injured site, which is affected by estrogen. This estrogen effect has been examined broadly, but without distinguishing between major compartments within muscle in which neutrophil infiltration can occur. Therefore, we compared neutrophil antigen expression in two compartments of eccentrically contracted muscle of ovariectomized mice with or without estrogen. To quantify neutrophil antigen expression, serial cross sections of muscle were immunolabeled with antibodies that recognize 7/4 or Ly6C/G, then quantified using computer-assisted image analysis. At 48 h post injury, estrogen-positive (E+) mice had more 7/4-positive and Ly6C/G-positive myofibers, increased 7/4 area percentage, and more 7/4-positive cells in the connective tissue. In addition, E+ mice showed more 7/4-positive myofibers that were Ly6C/G-negative and more Ly6C/G-positive myofibers that were 7/4-negative. These data suggest that in injured muscle, estrogen increases 7/4 antigen in connective tissue and myofibers and is associated with more Ly6C/G-positive myofibers when the 7/4 antigen is absent from these myofibers.     

生物质炭添加对喀斯特地区坡耕地黄壤水分入渗过程的影响

为探究生物质炭添加对喀斯特地区土壤水分入渗特性的影响,本研究以坡耕地黄壤为对象,采用室内土柱模拟的方法,研究不同添加量(质量分数为0、1%和2%)和不同粒径(粒径大小为<0.25、0.25～1和>1 mm)生物质炭添加下土壤水分累计入渗量、入渗速率及湿润锋进程的变化特征,并对入渗过程进行模拟。结果表明: 在定容重条件下,添加生物质炭后土壤的入渗过程明显受到抑制,添加生物质炭土壤的累计入渗量和入渗速率显著低于未添加生物质炭土壤,生物质炭添加量为1%和2%土壤的累计入渗量和入渗速率无显著差异。不同粒径生物质炭添加下,土壤累计入渗量从大到小依次表现为<0.25、0.25～1和>1 mm。与CK相比,当添加量为1%时,土壤300 min累计入渗量分别下降20.9%、35.2%和45.0%;当添加量为2%时,分别下降21.5%、37.5%和44.2%,说明大粒径生物质炭对土壤入渗的抑制作用显著强于小粒径生物质炭。土壤湿润锋进程对不同含量和不同粒径生物质炭添加的响应趋势与累计入渗量的变化趋势基本一致。Horton和Kostiakov模型能够用于模拟本研究中的土壤水分入渗过程,Horton模型拟合精度高,R²最大(0.91～0.98),均方根误差(RMSE)最小(0.14～0.21),而Kostiakov模型拟合得到的初始入渗速率更接近实测结果。研究结果可为生物质炭的合理施用提供科学依据,也可为喀斯特坡耕地土壤改良和水土保持提供有益参考。     

A Facile Method to Improve the Photocatalytic and Lithium‐Ion Rechargeable Battery Performance of TiO2 Nanocrystals

TiO₂ has been well studied as an ultraviolet (UV) photocatalyst and electrode material for lithium‐ion rechargeable batteries. Recent studies have shown that hydrogenated TiO₂ displayed better photocatalytic and lithium ion battery performances. Here it is demonstrated that the photocatalytic and battery performances of TiO₂ nanocrystals can be successfully improved with a facile low‐temperature vacuum process. These TiO₂ nanocrystals extend their optical absorption far into the visible‐light region, display nanometer‐scale surface atomic rearrangement, possess superoxide ion characteristics at room temperature without light irradiation, show a 4‐fold improvement in photocatalytic activity, and has 30% better performance in capacity and charge/discharge rates for lithium ion battery. This facile method could provide an alternative and effective approach to improve the performance of TiO₂ and other materials towards their practical applications.     

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid in Ammonium Hydroxide for Reducing Decalcification Time

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution is used to decalcify bone specimens for histological examination. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) has been used to dissolve EDTA and to bring EDTA solutions to neutral pH. This solution, however, requires several weeks to decalcify bone specimens. We investigated a new de-calcification fluid using concentrated ammonium hydroxide (NH₄OH) to dissolve EDTA and to adjust the pH to neutral. Decalcification was performed using a magnetic stirrer with and without vacuum, or with a sonic cleaner. Decalcification end point was confirmed using both the weight loss and X-ray methods. After decalcification, specimens were processed through paraffin and sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Decalcification employing NH₄OH required an average of six days. Light microscopy indicated good retention of cellular detail.     

T 4 -mediated v-gene reactivation of UV-irradiated phage Ti, and its comparison with host-cell reactivation

Soaked seeds of Vicia faba were irradiated with 800 or 400 R, or two 400-R exposures, both with VAC (vacuum) but one with a concomitant treatment of CHM (cycloheximide) (I μg/ml). The chromosome aberration yields from each regimen varied with fixation time such that a unique and characteristic aberration yield for each regimen relative to the others was not obtained. Were single fixations employed one could obtain yields which would indicate no, some, or maximum repair. A single fixation would lead to an incorrect estimation of chromosome damage repair.     

SPP1在头颈部鳞状细胞癌的免疫浸润及临床相关性分析

探讨分泌型磷蛋白1 (Secreted Phosphoprotein 1,SPP1)在头颈部鳞状细胞癌(Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, HNSC)中与免疫浸润及临床的相关性,明确SPP1在HNSC预后和个体化治疗中的潜在价值。使用癌症基因组图谱(The Cancer Genome Atlas,TCGA)HNSC数据分析SPP1表达。使用来自TCGA的临床生存数据评估SPP1的临床预后价值。使用R语言的clusterProfiler 包进行SPP1相关的富集分析。使用R语言的CIBERSORT函数评估22种肿瘤浸润免疫细胞在HNSC中的浸润情况,分析肿瘤浸润免疫细胞与SPP1表达之间的关联。差异表达分析发现SPP1在HNSC中高表达(P<0.001),临床相关性分析发现SPP1表达与T分期(P=0.001)、临床分期(P=0.013)相关,SPP1高表达患者的总生存期明显短于低表达患者(P=0.020 4)。基因富集分析发现SPP1在HNSC中与免疫学功能及免疫相关通路有关联。肿瘤浸润免疫细胞分析发现在高SPP1表达组中,M2巨噬细胞(P=0.001 1)、未活化树突状细胞(P=0.005 5)、活化肥大细胞(P=0.048 8)浸润比例增加,而活化记忆性CD4+ T淋巴细胞(P<0.001)、浆细胞(P=0.026 6)、未活化肥大细胞(P=0.038 6)浸润比例减少。研究表明 SPP1在HNSC中充当致癌基因,并与患者的临床结果相关,SPP1在肿瘤免疫微环境中起重要作用,可能成为HNSC中有价值的预后生物标志物及免疫治疗生物靶标。     

有机溶液环境中的迷迭香酸纳滤分离行为及富集工艺

本文采用纳滤分离低浓度乙醇水溶液中迷迭香酸,分析其分离行为并探索富集可行性。结果表明:乙醇浓度对纳滤膜通量和迷迭香酸截留率均有影响,通过响应面法建立二次回归模型,在保障分离效率及截留率的前提下,优化参数为溶质浓度0.41 mg/mL,乙醇浓度20.00%,截留分子量450 Da,迷迭香酸截留率93.81%,预测值较接近与理论值误差较小,数学模型准确可行。通过工艺对比,纳滤富集工艺相较于传统减压浓缩,迷迭香酸保留率提高35.1%,技术优势明显。结果还表明,乙醇水溶液环境下,长周期使用纳滤膜存在溶胀或污染的不可逆性,迷迭香酸截留率未发生明显变化,说明纳滤膜组件分离性能的耐用性较好。