NOx removal from flue gas by an integrated physicochemical absorption and biological denitrification process

An integrated physicochemical and biological technique for NO(x) removal from flue gas, the so-called BioDeNO(x) process, combines the principles of wet absorption of NO in an aqueous Fe(II)EDTA(2-) solution with biological reduction of the sorbed NO in a bioreactor. The biological reduction of NO to di-nitrogen gas (N(2)) takes place under thermophilic conditions (55 degrees C). This study demonstrates the technical feasibility of this BioDeNO(x) concept in a bench-scale installation with a continuous flue gas flow of 650 l.h(-1) (70-500 ppm NO; 0.8-3.3% O(2)). Stable NO removal with an efficiency of at least 70% was obtained in case the artificial flue gas contained 300 ppm NO and 1% O(2) when the bioreactor was inoculated with a denitrifying sludge. An increase of the O(2) concentration of only 0.3% resulted in a rapid elevation of the redox potential (ORP) in the bioreactor, accompanied by a drastic decline of the NO removal efficiency. This was not due to a limitation or inhibition of the NO reduction, but to a limited biological iron reduction capacity. The latter leads to a depletion of the NO absorption capacity of the scrubber liquor, and thus to a poor NO removal efficiency. Bio-augmentation of the reactor mixed liquor with an anaerobic granular sludge with a high Fe(III) reduction capacity successfully improved the bioreactor efficiency and enabled to treat a flue gas containing at least 3.3% O(2) and 500 ppm NO with an NO removal efficiency of over 80%. The ORP in the bioreactor was found to be a proper parameter for the control of the ethanol supply, needed as electron donor for the biological regeneration process. The NO removal efficiency as well as the Fe(III)EDTA(-) reduction rate were found to decline at ORP values higher than -140 mV (pH 7.0). For stable BioDeNO(x) operation, the supply of electron donor (ethanol) can be used to control the ORP below that critical value.     

Microalgal biomass production and on-site bioremediation of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide from flue gas using Chlorella sp. cultures

The growth and on-site bioremediation potential of an isolated thermal- and CO?-tolerant mutant strain, Chlorella sp. MTF-7, were investigated. The Chlorella sp. MTF-7 cultures were directly aerated with the flue gas generated from coke oven of a steel plant. The biomass concentration, growth rate and lipid content of Chlorella sp. MTF-7 cultured in an outdoor 50-L photobioreactor for 6 days was 2.87 g L?1 (with an initial culture biomass concentration of 0.75 g L?1), 0.52 g L?1 d?1 and 25.2%, respectively. By the operation with intermittent flue gas aeration in a double-set photobioreactor system, average efficiency of CO? removal from the flue gas could reach to 60%, and NO and SO? removal efficiency was maintained at approximately 70% and 50%, respectively. Our results demonstrate that flue gas from coke oven could be directly introduced into Chlorella sp. MTF-7 cultures to potentially produce algal biomass and efficiently capture CO?, NO and SO? from flue gas.     

Effects of SO2 and NO on growth of Chlorella sp. KR-1

Effects of the toxic compounds in flue gas, SOx and NOx, on growth of Chlorella sp. KR-1 have been determined. Although growth of KR-1 was suppressed by the toxic compounds, KR-1 exhibited excellent tolerances to SOx compared to other algal strains. When Chlorella KR-1 was cultured with the model gas containing 60 ppm SO2, the linear growth rate was 1.24 g/l day which is about 25% lower than that of the control culture aerated with the gas mixture containing no toxic compounds, SO2 and NO. KR-1 could grow even with the model gas containing 100 ppm SO2 and the linear growth rate of KR-1 in the culture was 0.78 g/l day. The period for lag phase was increased with increasing of SO2 concentration that also resulted in the decrease of the linear growth rate and the maximum cell concentration. Direct CO2 fixation by Chlorella KR-1 has been successfully done using actual flue gases from a liquified natural gas (LNG)- or diesel-fueled boiler. These results indicated that Chlorella KR-1 may be applied for direct CO2 fixation from actual flue gas.     

Reduction of Fe(III) chelated with citrate in an NOx scrubber solution by Enterococcus sp. FR-3

Biological reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) is a key step in nitrogen oxide (NO(x)) removal by the integrated chemical absorption-biological reduction process. NO(x) removal efficiency strongly depends on the concentration of Fe(II) in the scrubbing liquid. In this study, a newly isolated strain, Enterococcus sp. FR-3, was used to reduce Fe(III) chelated with citrate to Fe(II). Strain FR-3 reduced citrate-chelated Fe(III) with an efficiency of up to 86.9% and an average reduction rate of 0.21 mM h(-1). SO(4)(2-) was not inhibitory whereas NO(2)(-) and SO(3)(2-) inhibited cell growth and thus affected Fe(III) reduction. Models based on the Logistic equation were used to describe the relationship between growth and Fe(III) reduction. These findings provide some useful data for Fe(III) reduction, scrubber solution regeneration and NO(x) removal process design.     

Simultaneous removal of NO(x) and SO2 in exhausted gas through landfill leachate

Simultaneous removal of NO(x) and SO2 from exhausted gas were investigated by studying co-culture of sulfate reducing bacteria and anaerobic denitrifying bacteria, separated from landfill leachate. When H2S, generated by sulfate reducing bacteria was chosen as the sole electron donor for anaerobic denitrifying bacteria, the co-culture system demonstrated a faster NO removal rate, higher stability and better permanence. When the feed gas flow rates of N2 and SO2 were maintained constant at 0.1 m3/h and 16 ml/min respectively, the maximum NO-removal rate could be achieved at over 92% with NO feed gas kept between 2-6 ml/min, while the SO2 removal rate was always above 95%. Long-term continuous removal of NO exhibited an evident periodicity of five days, however, the fluctuation range of NO-removal was decreasing. Moreover, the decrease of the gas flow rate and the increase in NO inlet concentration could contribute to a higher NO- removal rate.     

Sulfide oxidation at halo-alkaline conditions in a fed-batch bioreactor

A biotechnological process is described to remove hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) from high-pressure natural gas and sour gases produced in the petrochemical industry. The process operates at halo-alkaline conditions and combines an aerobic sulfide-oxidizing reactor with an anaerobic sulfate (SO(4) (2-)) and thiosulfate (S(2)O(3) (2-)) reducing reactor. The feasibility of biological H(2)S oxidation at pH around 10 and total sodium concentration of 2 mol L(-1) was studied in gas-lift bioreactors, using halo-alkaliphilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (HA-SOB). Reactor operation at different oxygen to sulfide (O(2):H(2)S) supply ratios resulted in a stable low redox potential that was directly related with the polysulfide (S(x) (2-)) and total sulfide concentration in the bioreactor. Selectivity for SO(4) (2-) formation decreased with increasing S(x) (2-) and total sulfide concentrations. At total sulfide concentrations above 0.25 mmol L(-1), selectivity for SO(4) (2-) formation approached zero and the end products of H(2)S oxidation were elemental sulfur (S(0)) and S(2)O(3) (2-). Maximum selectivity for S(0) formation (83.3+/-0.7%) during stable reactor operation was obtained at a molar O(2):H(2)S supply ratio of 0.65. Under these conditions, intermediary S(x) (2-) plays a major role in the process. Instead of dissolved sulfide (HS(-)), S(x) (2-) seemed to be the most important electron donor for HA-SOB under S(0) producing conditions. In addition, abiotic oxidation of S(x) (2-) was the main cause of undesirable formation of S(2)O(3) (2-). The observed biomass growth yield under SO(4) (2-) producing conditions was 0.86 g N mol(-1) H(2)S. When selectivity for SO(4) (2-) formation was below 5%, almost no biomass growth was observed.     

Nitric oxide reduction in BioDeNOx reactors: kinetics and mechanism

Biological reduction of nitric oxide (NO) to di-nitrogen (N(2)) gas in aqueous Fe(II)EDTA(2-) solutions is a key reaction in BioDeNOx, a novel process for NOx removal from flue gases. The mechanism and kinetics of the first step of NO reduction, that is, the conversion of NO to N(2)O, was determined in batch experiments using various types of inocula. Experiments were performed in Fe(II)EDTA(2-) medium (5-25 mM) under BioDeNOx reactor conditions (55 degrees C, pH 7.2 +/- 0.2) with ethanol as external electron donor. BioDeNOx reactor mixed liquor gave the highest NO reduction rates (+/-0.34 nmol s(-1) mg(prot)(-1)) with an estimated K(m) value for NO lower than 10 nM. The specific NO (to N(2)O) reduction rate depended on the NO (aq) and Fe(II)EDTA(2-) concentration as well as the temperature. The experimental results, complemented with kinetic and thermodynamic considerations, show that Fe(II)EDTA(2-), and not ethanol, is the primary electron donor for NO reduction, that is, the BioDeNOx reactor medium (the redox system Fe(II)EDTA(2-)/Fe(III)EDTA(-)) interferes with the NO reduction electron transfer chain and thus enhances the NO denitrification rate.     

Disruption of endothelial caveolae is associated with impairment of both NO- as well as EDHF in acetylcholine-induced relaxation depending on their relative contribution in different vascular beds

Caveolae represent an important structural element involved in endothelial signal-transduction. The present study was designed to investigate the role of caveolae in endothelium-dependent relaxation of different vascular beds. Caveolae were disrupted by cholesterol depletion with filipin (4x10(-6) g L(-1)) or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MCD; 1x10(-3) mol L(-1)) and the effect on endothelium-dependent relaxation was studied in rat aorta, small renal arteries and mesenteric arteries in the absence and presence of L-NMMA. The contribution of NO and EDHF, respectively, to total relaxation in response to acetylcholine (ACh) gradually changed from aorta (71.2+/-6.1% and 28.8+/-6.1%), to renal arteries (48.6+/-6.4% and 51.4+/-6.4%) and to mesenteric arteries (9.1+/-4.0% and 90.9+/-4.1%). Electron microscopy confirmed filipin to decrease the number of endothelial caveolae in all vessels studied. Incubation with filipin inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by cumulative doses of ACh (3x10(-9)-10(-4) mol L(-1)) in all three vascular beds. In aorta, treatment with either filipin or MCD only inhibited the NO component, whereas in renal artery both NO and EDHF formation were affected. In contrast, in mesenteric arteries, filipin treatment only reduced EDHF formation. Disruption of endothelial caveolae is associated with the impairment of both NO and EDHF in acetylcholine-induced relaxation.     

基于石生藓类氮含量的贵阳地区大气氮沉降

对贵阳市区到农村地区的石生藓类氮含量进行了系统分析,并根据藓类氮含量(y,%)和大气氮沉降(x, kg hm~(-2) a~(-1))的平均定量关系(y=0.052x+0.7325)计算了各采样点的大气氮沉降值.贵阳地区大气氮沉降的变化范围为0.91～44.69kg hm~(-2) a~(-1),市区大气氮沉降最高平均(29.21±6.17)kg hm~(-2) a~(-1),主要来自城市废水NH3释放;最低平均(11.95±3.95)kg hm~(-2) a~(-1),出现在城市和农村的结合地带,主要原因在于来自市区的氮污染物减少、且大量分布了环城林带、农业活动相对较低;20km以外的农村地区大气氮沉降略微升高(平均(14.31±5.11)kg hm~(-2) a~(-1)),主要反映了农业施肥导致NH3释放的增加.结果表明,石生藓类氮含量是一种经济可靠的大气氮沉降监测工具,能够较准确地量化大气氮沉降的水平,并为深入研究大气氮沉降的生态环境效应提供基础资料.     

Biological and analytical variation of the human sweating response: implications for study design and analysis

Appropriate quantification of analytical and biological variation of thermoregulatory sweating has important practical utility for research design and statistical analysis. We sought to examine contributors to variability in local forearm sweating rate (SR) and sweating onset (SO) and to evaluate the potential for using bilateral measurements. Two women and eight men (26 ± 9 yr; 79 ± 12 kg) completed 5 days of heat acclimation and walked (1.8 l/min VO(2)) on three occasions for 30 min in 40°C, 20% RH, while local SR and SO were measured. Local SR measures among days were not different (2.14 ± 0.72 vs. 2.02 ± 0.79 vs. 2.31 ± 0.72 mg·cm(2)·min(-1), P = 0.19) nor was SO (10.47 ± 2.54 vs. 10.04 ± 2.97 vs. 9.87 ± 3.44 min P = 0.82). Bilateral SR (2.14 ± 0.72 vs. 2.16 ± 0.71 mg·cm(2)·min(-1), P = 0.56) and SO (10.47 ± 2.54 vs. 10.83 ± 2.48 min, P = 0.09) were similar and differences were ≤ 1 SD of day-to-day differences for a single forearm. Analytical imprecision (CV(a)), within (CV(i))-, and between (CV(g))-subjects' coefficient of variation for local SR were 2.4%, 22.3%, and 56.4%, respectively, and were 0%, 9.6%, and 41%, respectively, for SO. We conclude: 1) technologically, sweat capsules contribute negligibly to sweat measurement variation; 2) bilateral measures of SR and SO appear interchangeable; 3) when studying potential factors affecting sweating, changes in SO afford a more favorable signal-to-noise ratio vs. changes in SR. These findings provide a quantitative basis for study design and optimization of power/sample size analysis in the evaluation of thermoregulatory sweating.     

The effect of nitrogen nutrition on cluster root formation and proton extrusion by Lupinus albus

Nitrogen nutrition can influence cluster root formation in many wild species, but the effect of N form on cluster root formation and root exudation by white lupin is not known. In a solution culture study, we examined the effect of N nutrition (ammonium, nitrate, both or N2 fixation) on cluster root formation and H+ extrusion by white lupin plants under deficient and adequate P supply. The number of cluster roots increased greatly when plants were supplied with I microM P compared with 50 microM P, the increase being 7.8-fold for plants treated with (NH4)2SO4, 3-fold for plants treated with KNO3 and NH4NO3, and 2-4-fold for N2-fixing plants. Under P deficiency. NH4+-N supply resulted in production of a greater number and biomass of cluster roots than other N sources. Dry weight of cluster roots was 30 % higher than that of non-cluster roots in P-deficient plants treated with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3. In plants treated with sufficient P (50 microM), the weight of non-cluster roots was approx. 90 % greater than that of cluster roots. Both total (micromol per plant h(-1)) and specific (micromol g(-1) root d. wt h(-1)) H+ extrusions were greatest from roots of plants supplied with (NH4)2SO4, followed by those supplied with NH4NO3 and N2 fixation, whereas plants receiving KNO3 had negative net H+ extrusion between the third and fifth week of growth (indicating uptake of protons or release of OH- ions). The rate of proton extrusion by NH4+-N-fed plants was similar under P-deficient and P-sufficient conditions. In contrast, proton exudation by N2-fixing plants and KNO3-treated plants was ten-fold greater under P deficiency than under P sufficiency. In comparison with P deficiency, plants treated with 50 microM P had a significantly higher concentration of P in roots, shoots and youngest expanded leaves (YEL). Compared with the N2 fixation and KNO3 treatments, total N concentration was highest in roots, shoots and YEL of plants supplied with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3, regardless of P supply. Under P deficiency, K concentrations in roots decreased at all N supplies, especially in plants treated with (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3, which coincided with the greatest H+ extrusion at these P and N supplies. In conclusion, NH4-N nutrition stimulated cluster root formation and H+ extrusion by roots of P-deficient white lupin.     

包膜控释尿素与普通尿素配施对冬小麦生长发育及土壤硝态氮的影响

应用大田试验研究了不同用量的包膜控释尿素(PCU60,释放期为60 d)与普通尿素(U)配合基施(10%PCU60+90%U,PU1;20%PCU60+80%U,PU2;30%PCU60+70%U,PU3;40%PCU60+60%U,PU4)对冬小麦产量、氮肥利用率等生物学性状及土壤硝态氮累积的影响,并对PCU60氮素田间溶出特征及25℃静水溶出特征进行了比较分析.结果表明:在施氮量相等的条件下,与习惯施肥处理相比,PU4处理冬小麦各项指标均显著提高:增产5.6%、氮肥利用率提高14.6%、氮素总累积量提高7.2%、成熟期总茎数提高2.6%、成熟期地上部总生物量提高7.5%、经济效益增加984.3元·hm-2.各处理0～100 cm土层硝态氮总累积量在39.70～49.93 kg·hm-2,其中,PU4处理总累积量最低,为39.70 kg·hm-2.埋袋试验表明,释放期为60 d的包膜控释尿素氮素释放规律与小麦氮素吸收特性基本吻合.     

Influence of inhaled nitric oxide on gas exchange during normoxic and hypoxic exercise in highly trained cyclists.

This study tested the effects of inhaled nitric oxide [NO; 20 parts per million (ppm)] during normoxic and hypoxic (fraction of inspired O(2) = 14%) exercise on gas exchange in athletes with exercise-induced hypoxemia. Trained male cyclists (n = 7) performed two cycle tests to exhaustion to determine maximal O(2) consumption (VO(2 max)) and arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (Sa(O(2)), Ohmeda Biox ear oximeter) under normoxic (VO(2 max) = 4.88 +/- 0.43 l/min and Sa(O(2)) = 90.2 +/- 0.9, means +/- SD) and hypoxic (VO(2 max) = 4.24 +/- 0.49 l/min and Sa(O(2)) = 75.5 +/- 4.5) conditions. On a third occasion, subjects performed four 5-min cycle tests, each separated by 1 h at their respective VO(2 max), under randomly assigned conditions: normoxia (N), normoxia + NO (N/NO), hypoxia (H), and hypoxia + NO (H/NO). Gas exchange, heart rate, and metabolic parameters were determined during each condition. Arterial blood was drawn at rest and at each minute of the 5-min test. Arterial PO(2) (Pa(O(2))), arterial PCO(2), and Sa(O(2)) were determined, and the alveolar-arterial difference for PO(2) (A-aDO(2)) was calculated. Measurements of Pa(O(2)) and Sa(O(2)) were significantly lower and A-aDO(2) was widened during exercise compared with rest for all conditions (P < 0.05). No significant differences were detected between N and N/NO or between H and H/NO for Pa(O(2)), Sa(O(2)) and A-aDO(2) (P > 0.05). We conclude that inhalation of 20 ppm NO during normoxic and hypoxic exercise has no effect on gas exchange in highly trained cyclists.     

Effect of turning regime and seasonal weather conditions on nitrogen and phosphorus losses during aerobic composting of cattle manure

Cattle manure from stock bedded on straw was aerobically composted under ambient conditions, turning with either a tractor-mounted front-end loader or a rear discharge manure spreader. Three composting experiments, each of approximately four months duration, were conducted to investigate the effect of turning regime and seasonal weather conditions on nitrogen and phosphorus losses during aerobic composting of cattle manure. Manure stacks of 12-15 m(3) initial volume were constructed in separate 5 x 5 m concrete compartments. Experiment 1 (January-April 1999) compared manure heaps turned once (T1) or three times (T3) using a front-end loader with an unturned static (S) control manure stack. Experiment 2 (June-September 1999) compared the same treatments as Experiment 1. Experiment 3 (September-December 1999) compared T1 and T3 turning regimes using a front end loader with turning by a rear-discharge spreader (TR1 and TR1T2) for more effective aeration of the manure. Turning took place at 6 weeks for the one turn treatments, and after 2, 6 and 10 weeks for the three turn treatments. Leachate losses were dominated by NH(4)-N during the first three weeks of composting, after which time NH4-N and NO3-N concentrations in leachates were approximately the same, in the range 0-20 mg N l(-1). The concentrations of both NH4-N and NO3-N in leachate were higher after turning. Molybdate-reactive P concentrations in leachate tended not to be significantly influenced by turning regime. Gaseous losses of NH3 and N2O rose quickly during the initial phases of composting, peaking at 152 g N t(-1) d(-1) for the T3 treatment. Mean NH3 emission rate (25-252 g N t(-1) d(-1)) for the first two weeks of Experiment 2 conducted during the period June-September were an order of magnitude greater (1-10 g N t(-1) d(-1)) than Experiment 3, conducted during the colder, wetter autumn period (September-December). Nitrous oxide emission rates ranged between 1-14 g N t(-1) d(-1) and showed little influence of turning regime. Total N and P concentrations in turned (T) and static (S) manure were elevated at the end of all experiments, due to loss of dry matter. Mean total N losses were 30.4% (T1) and 36.8% (T3) and total P losses 28.2% (T1) and 27.4% (T3).     

The inhibitory mechanism of GLP-1, but not glucagon, on fasted gut motility is dependent on the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway

Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucagon on fasted gut motility in conscious rats were investigated as regards dependence on nitric oxide (NO). Small bowel motility was studied by electromyography and a jugular vein catheter was implanted for administration of drugs. GLP-1 (5-40 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) prolonged the cycle length and abolished phase III of the migrating myoelectric complex (MMC) (P<0.01). Low doses of GLP-1 did not affect duration, propagation velocity or calculated length of phase III. At 1 mg x kg(-1) N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) blocked the GLP-1 response up to a dose of 10 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1) (P<0.05), while higher doses were able to overcome L-NNA-induced disinhibition of the GLP-1 response (P<0.05). Similarly, L-arginine at 300 mg x kg(-1) prevented L-NNA-induced disinhibition of the GLP-1 response (P<0.05). Glucagon (200-1000 pmol x kg(-1) x min(-1)) prolonged the cycle length and abolished phase III of MMC (P<0.01) independent of NO. Again, low doses of glucagon did not affect duration, propagation velocity or calculated length of phase III. In conclusion, inhibition of fasted motility by GLP-1 at low doses is dependent on NO, while high doses of GLP-1 and glucagon exert effects on motility independently from NO.     

The osmotic characteristics of human fetal liver-derived hematopoietic stem cell candidates

Hematopoietic stem cells derived from fetal liver have promising therapeutic potential for allotransplantation but require a specific protocol to minimize the damage produced by cryopreservation procedures. In this study, a fundamental approach was applied for designing a cell preservation protocol. To this end, the biophysical characteristics that describe the osmotic reaction of CD34(+)CD38(-) human fetal liver stem cell candidates were studied using fluorescent microscopy. The osmotically inactive volume of the stem cell candidates was determined as 48% of the isotonic volume. The permeability coefficients for water and Me(2)SO were determined at T = +22 degree C: L(p) = 0.27 +/- 0.03 microm x min(-1)atm(-1), P(Me(2)SO)) = 2.09 +/- 0.85 x 10 (-4) cm x min(-1), sigma (Me(2)SO)) = 0.63 +/- 0.03 and at T = +12 degree C: L(p) = 0.15 +/-0.02 microm x min(-1)atm(-1), P(Me(2)SO)) = 6.44 +/-1.42 x 10 (-5) cm x min(-1), sigma (Me(2)SO)) = 0.46 +/- 0.05. The results obtained suggest that post-hypertonic and hypotonic stress are the possible reasons for damage to a CD34(+)CD38(-) cell during the cryopreservation procedure.     

产油嗜碱绿球藻MC-1的烟气适应性

为了降低微藻产油成本和减少温室气体的排放,利用煤炭烟气培养一株具有pH快速漂移和高碱适应特性的产油微藻Chlorococcum alkaliphilus MC-1.首先于15L光生物反应器中分三组(空白组、CO2组和烟气组)进行小体积培养实验,然后在24 m2开放式跑道池中进行放大培养,研究了微藻MC-1对烟气培养的适应性.结果表明,在光生物反应器培养实验中,烟气组的最高生物量浓度、生长速率、藻体总脂含量和CO2固定速率分别为:(1.02±0.07) g/L、(0.12±0.02) g/(L·d)、(37.84±0.58)％和(0.20±0.02) g/(L·d),比CO2组分别提高了36％、33.33％、15.34％和33.33％.在开放式跑道池培养实验中,烟气与纯CO2的培养效果相似,烟气培养下的最高生物量浓度、生长速率、藻体总脂含量和CO2固定速率分别为:147.40 g/m2、14.73 g/(m2·d)、35.72％和24.01 g/(m2·d);烟气培养产出的藻粉中有毒重金属Pb、As、Cd和Cr的含量均低于国家限量标准.实验同时测定了烟气培养下藻液对烟气中CO2、NO和SO2的吸收效果,结果显示,在光生物反应器和开放式跑道池培养中此三种气体的平均吸收率均高于以往研究结果.上述结果说明,该藻能适应烟气培养条件,耦合微藻MC-1产油与烟气减排的室外放大培养是可行的.     

Nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation becomes independent of beta-adrenergic receptor activation with increased intensity of hypoxic exercise

Hypoxic vasodilation in skeletal muscle at rest is known to include β-adrenergic receptor-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) release. We previously reported that the augmented skeletal muscle vasodilation during mild hypoxic forearm exercise includes β-adrenergic mechanisms. However, it is unclear whether a β-adrenergic receptor-stimulated NO component exists during hypoxic exercise. We hypothesized that NO-mediated vasodilation becomes independent of β-adrenergic receptor activation with increased exercise intensity during hypoxic exercise. Ten subjects (7 men, 3 women; 23 ± 1 yr) breathed hypoxic gas to titrate arterial O(2) saturation to 80% while remaining normocapnic. Subjects performed two consecutive bouts of incremental rhythmic forearm exercise (10% and 20% of maximum) with local administration (via a brachial artery catheter) of propranolol (β-adrenergic receptor inhibition) alone and with the combination of propranolol and nitric oxide synthase inhibition [N(G)-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA)] under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Forearm blood flow (FBF, ml/min; Doppler ultrasound) and blood pressure [mean arterial pressure (MAP), mmHg; brachial artery catheter] were assessed, and forearm vascular conductance (FVC, ml·min(-1)·100 mmHg(-1)) was calculated (FBF/MAP). During propranolol alone, the rise in FVC (Δ from normoxic baseline) due to hypoxic exercise was 217 ± 29 and 415 ± 41 ml·min(-1)·100 mmHg(-1) (10% and 20% of maximum, respectively). Combined propranolol-l-NMMA infusion during hypoxic exercise attenuated ΔFVC at 20% (352 ± 44 ml·min(-1)·100 mmHg(-1); P < 0.001) but not at 10% (202 ± 28 ml·min(-1)·100 mmHg(-1); P = 0.08) of maximum compared with propranolol alone. These data, when integrated with earlier findings, demonstrate that NO contributes to the compensatory vasodilation during mild and moderate hypoxic exercise; a β-adrenergic receptor-stimulated NO component exists during low-intensity hypoxic exercise. However, the source of the NO becomes less dependent on β-adrenergic mechanisms as exercise intensity increases.     

污泥草地利用的初步研究

对经堆处理的污泥有机肥培育结缕草（Zoysia japonica)的初步研究表明,在污泥符合农用标准条件下,以Cd为施污泥肥厚的限制因子,在施污泥有机肥45t.hm^-2（干重）以下时,在微酸性土壤（PH＜6．5）,土壤Cd含量低于Cd的土壤环境质量标准（0.3mg.kg^-1),地下水NO^-3-N含量低于地面水Ⅰ、Ⅱ类标准（NO^-3-N10mg.kg^-1,P0.1mg.kg^-),土壤中有机质,速效N、总N、总P分别经对照增加16％、78％、61％和140％,结缕草生物量比对照区高1倍,可以认为,污泥草地利用是一种良好途径。     

Oxidative stress in the developing brain: effects of postnatal glucocorticoid therapy and antioxidants in the rat

In premature infants, glucocorticoids ameliorate chronic lung disease, but have adverse effects on long-term neurological function. Glucocorticoid excess promotes free radical overproduction. We hypothesised that the adverse effects of postnatal glucocorticoid therapy on the developing brain are secondary to oxidative stress and that antioxidant treatment would diminish unwanted effects. Male rat pups received a clinically-relevant tapering course of dexamethasone (DEX; 0.5, 0.3, and 0.1 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)), with or without antioxidant vitamins C and E (DEXCE; 200 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) and 100 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1), respectively), on postnatal days 1-6 (P1-6). Controls received saline or saline with vitamins. At weaning, relative to controls, DEX decreased total brain volume (704.4±34.7 mm(3) vs. 564.0±20.0 mm(3)), the soma volume of neurons in the CA1 (1172.6±30.4 μm(3) vs. 1002.4±11.8 μm(3)) and in the dentate gyrus (525.9±27.2 μm(3) vs. 421.5±24.6 μm(3)) of the hippocampus, and induced oxidative stress in the cortex (protein expression: heat shock protein 70 [Hsp70]: +68%; 4-hydroxynonenal [4-HNE]: +118% and nitrotyrosine [NT]: +20%). Dexamethasone in combination with vitamins resulted in improvements in total brain volume (637.5±43.1 mm(3)), and soma volume of neurons in the CA1 (1157.5±42.4 μm(3)) and the dentate gyrus (536.1±27.2 μm(3)). Hsp70 protein expression was unaltered in the cortex (+9%), however, 4-HNE (+95%) and NT (+24%) protein expression remained upregulated. Treatment of neonates with vitamins alone induced oxidative stress in the cortex (Hsp70: +67%; 4-HNE: +73%; NT: +22%) and in the hippocampus (NT: +35%). Combined glucocorticoid and antioxidant therapy in premature infants may be safer for the developing brain than glucocorticoids alone in the treatment of chronic lung disease. However, antioxidant therapy in healthy offspring is not recommended.