The temporal and spatial distribution of nematodes in percolating filters

The spatial and temporal distribution of nematodes in two low rate percolating filter bed sewage treatment plants at Carnforth and Caton, Lancashire, were investigated. Nematodes were abundant reaching densities up to 900 cm⁻² of media surface. Numbers decreased down the bed and species composition displayed spatial differences with bed depth. Eight orders of nematode were represented, members of the sub-family Diplogasterinae and Rhabditinae were particularly common. A seasonal pattern of abundance was clearly apparent; two peaks occurred, one in May and a second during the winter months. Lowest numbers corresponded with periods of highest temperature. The demise of the nematodes in the spring was related to the sloughing of the surface film on the media.     

Selenium Impacts on Fish: An Insidious Time Bomb

A selenium time bomb situation is developing in the United States and elsewhere that may result in substantial impacts on fish populations. The selenium time bomb has three components: (1) high food-chain bioaccumulation, (2) steep toxic response curve for fish, and (3) insidious mode of toxicity. If the threshold for selenium toxicity is exceeded, the time bomb explodes and a cascade of events is set into motion that will result in major ecosystem disruption. Several human-related factors are emerging that are capable of igniting the fuse of the time bomb by increasing waterborne concentrations of selenium and providing conditions favorable for bioaccumulation. Some of these factors are (1) mobilization of selenium due to open-pit phosphate mining, (2) use of constructed wetlands to treat selenium-laden wastewater from oil refineries and agricultural irrigation, (3) landfill disposal of seleniferous fly ash from coal-fired power plants, and (4) mobilization of selenium from animal feedlot wastes. Collectively, these threats may be sufficient to cause widespread, unanticipated toxic effects in fish populations. Only environmentally sound risk assessments followed by prudent management actions can defuse the selenium time bomb — once it explodes, it is too late to avoid significant impacts.     

Treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infection with rhesus monkey stromata: two unsuccessful attempts

Independent series of experiments have failed to confirm the reported schistosomicidal effect of injections of rhesus monkey stromata and other erythrocyte preparations in infected mice (Cox &; Oliver-Gonzalez, 1970). It is suggested that the most likely explanation of the original findings is accidental contamination of the erythrocyte preparations with bacteria known to kill adult schistosomes in vivo.     

Photomodulation of mesocotyl elongation in maize seedlings: Is there a correlative relationship between phytochrome,auxin and cell wall extensibility?

Three h white light irradiation of etiolated maize seedlings ( Zea mays L. cv. Jubilee) inhibited mesocotyl elongation and caused a sharp decrease in cell wall plastic extensibility as measured by the Instron technique. The plastic extensibility following white light irradiation (3 h) was photomodulated by phytochrome. Although the photomodulation of the plastic extensibility was correlated with growth during 20 h, no such correlation was observed at shorter times. The addition of indole-3-acetic acid to light-inhibited intact seedlings, or seedlings from which the coleoptile and inner leaves were excised, resulted in a stimulation of growth. However, none of the IAA concentrations could reverse light inhibition. The possibility of a correlative relationship between phytochrome, auxin and cell wall extensibility is discussed.     

Release of molybdenum co-factor from nitrate reductase and xanthine oxidase by heat treatment

Heat treatment (90 sec at 70°) is shown to convert the bound molybdenum co-factor of tobacco cell-free extracts and bovine milk xanthine oxidase into a form capable of complementing the Neurospora crassa mutant nit-1.In the presence of 1 mM ascorbic acid, 25 mM molybdate and, for plant extracts, sulphydryl group protecting agents, the molybdenum co-factor can survive incubations up to 100° whilst maintaining its biological activity. Especially with plant extracts, the efficiency of heat treatment is considerably higher than that of the acidification procedure which is often utilized for releasing molybdenum co-factor.     

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): internamiento involuntario sí, tratamiento obligatorio no

We had the opportunity to know a judicial decision in relation to a nonagenarian COVID-19 patient, which is clarifying regarding the complex issue of involuntary admission and involuntary treatment of the elderly. The judge authorized the involuntary admission but denied the possibility of imposing medical treatment against the will of the patient.This situation invites us to review the different types of involuntary admission that our legal system provides and how involuntary medical treatment is regulated according to its purpose and the patient's ability to decide.In the field of public health, the determining element to be able to impose any sanitary measure against the will of the patient is the risk to the health of the population. In the case presented, the judge rejects the possibility of authorizing medical treatment for not contributing anything from the point of view of public health. However, it does authorize involuntary admission as it is essential to guarantee isolation.     

Ground application of mating disruption against the gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

The gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), is a non‐native defoliating insect that continues to expand its range in North America and undergo periodic outbreaks. In management efforts to suppress outbreaks, slow its spread and eradicate populations that arrive outside of the invaded range, aerial deployments of mating disruption tactics and pesticides are generally used. However, in some cases, such as in heavily urbanized areas or other landscapes where aerial deployments are not feasible or permitted, ground applications are required. Ground applications tend to be labour‐intensive to ensure adequate coverage. To better inform optimal deployment of ground applications of mating disruption, we measured the effectiveness of a pheromone formulation designed for ground application, SPLAT® GM, in forested areas of Virginia from 2011 to 2014 using different dosages and number of point applications. We observed that SPLAT® GM applied to the tree trunks at the dosages of 49.4 and 123.6 g AI/ha in 11 × 11 systematic grids (i.e., every 11 m) reduced male trap catch by >90% relative to untreated control plots, which based on previous studies corresponds to >95% reduction in gypsy moth mating success. Our observations suggest that ground applications of gypsy moth mating disruption can be a successful management tool when circumstances require it.     

Integrated anaerobic/aerobic biological treatment for intensive swine production

Manure processing could help farmers to effectively manage nitrogen (N) surplus load. Many pig farms have to treat wastewater. Piggery wastewater treatment is a complex challenge, due to the high COD and N concentrations and low C/N ratio. Anaerobic digestion (AD) could be a convenient pre-treatment, particularly from the energetic view point and farm income, but this causes further reduction of C/N ratio and makes denitrification difficult. N removal can only be obtained integrating anaerobic/aerobic treatment by taking into account the best use of electron donors. Experiences gained in Italy during development of integrated biological treatment approaches for swine manure, from bench to full scale, are reported in this paper. Solid/liquid separation as pre-treatment of raw manure is an efficient strategy to facilitate liquid fraction treatment without significantly lowering C/N ratio. In Italy, two full scale SBRs showed excellent efficiency and reliability. Current renewable energy policy and incentives makes economically attractive the application of AD to the separated solid fraction using high solid anaerobic digester (HSAD) technology. Economic evaluation showed that energy production can reduce costs up to 60%, making sustainable the overall treatment.     

2002—2009年我院平均住院日变化及效果分析

目的 分析2002—2009年平均住院日等住院指标的变化。方法 通过绘制时间序列图和计算指标间的偏相关系数说明医院住院指标的变化情况。结果 医院平均住院日呈不断下降趋势,同时床位周转率不断加快,病人的医疗费用负担并没有增加,病人总体治疗效果得到提升。结论 近年来平均住院日不断缩短,这有利于医院业务发展、减轻患者负担。     

miRNA在白血病中的研究进展

microRNA(miRNA)是一种小分子非编码RNA,在细胞增殖、分化和凋亡等多种生理过程中发挥着重要作用.白血病相关miRNA研究进展迅速,并呈现了miRNA介导白血病瘤细胞增殖、分化和凋亡的调控网络.深入了解相关miRNA与白血病的发生、发展关系将为白血病的治疗开辟新途径.