Study on the remediation of organic soil contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls using a variable frequency microwave furnace

The development of new and innovative remediation technologies for soil contaminated with Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) is necessary to fulfill the need of cleanup of contaminated sites. In the past eight years the Laboratory for Microwave treatment as Hazardous Substance Management Research Center has investigated the use of Microwave energy to remediate contaminated soils. A major drawback of using single frequencies of the microwave range is the non-uniformity of the electromagnetic field. In this thesis a Variable Frequency Microwave Furnace (operating between 2.40 and 7.50 GHz) is used to improve the uniformity of the field. A new method is used to map the field uniformity in a fixed and variable frequency furnace. Frequency ranges larger than 1 GHz lead to uniform field distribution. Soil with an organic content of 82% was contaminated with PCB congeners #53 and #65 to ca. 400 ppm, and subjected to microwave exposure. Extracts of blanks and treated samples were analyzed with GC/MS. No breakdown products were observed in any of the extracts. The reduction of PCB in the extract was not dependent on the length of exposure to microwave energy. Soil temperature had the greatest effect on the reduction efficiency in the extract: the reduction efficiency at 170°C averaged at 55%, at 100°C it was only 17% for PCB #53. In preliminary experiments no PCBs were detected in the offgas. Additional experiments have to investigate the fate of the PCB in the soil as the offgas

Self-management education interventions for persons with schizophrenia: a meta-analysis

Although self-management education programs for persons with schizophrenia are being developed and advocated, uncertainty about their overall effectiveness remains. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to examine outcomes of self-management education interventions in persons with schizophrenia. Six electronic databases were searched. Manual searches were conducted of the reference lists of the identified studies and major psychiatric journals. Randomized controlled trials of self-management education interventions aimed at reducing relapse and hospital readmissions, as well as improving symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and adherence to medication treatment were identified. Data were extracted and the quality of included studies were rated by two authors independently. Finally, 13 studies with 1404 patients were included. Self-management education interventions were associated with a significant reduction of relapse events and re-hospitalizations. Patients who received self-management education were more likely to improve adherence to medication and symptoms compared to patients receiving other care. However, a benefit on psychosocial functioning was not confirmed in the current meta-analysis. The study concludes that self-management education intervention is a feasible and effective method for persons with schizophrenia and should be routinely offered to all persons with schizophrenia

FMNL1 promotes growth and metastasis of breast cancer by inhibiting BRCA1 via upregulation of HMGA1

In the earlier published article, “Herbei Province” included in the affiliation of the second author is incorrect. “Chongqing” is a municipality directly under the Central Government and does not belong to "Hebei Province”. At the request of the author, the correct affiliation is provided above. New citation: Zhang Q, Yang H, Tang C, Wang Q, Ren L, Jia C, et al. FMNL1 promotes growth and metastasis of breast cancer by inhibiting BRCA1 via upregulation of HMGA1. Trop J Pharm Res 2021; 20(8):1559-1564 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v20i8.2. Erratum: 2022; 21(8): 1807 doi: 10.4314/ tjpr.v 21i8.31 Earlier citation: Zhang Q, Yang H, Tang C, Wang Q, Ren L, Jia C, et al. FMNL1 promotes growth and metastasis of breast cancer by inhibiting BRCA1 via upregulation of HMGA1. Trop J Pharm Res 2021; 20(8):1559-1564 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v20i8.

Differential expression of DKK-1 binding receptors on stromal cells and myeloma cells results in their distinct response to secreted DKK-1 in myeloma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The canonical Wnt signaling is concurrently important for osteoblast differentiation and myeloma cell proliferation. Its activation in myeloma cells and its inhibition in osteoblasts and their progenitors have been identified in the previous studies. Osteoblast progenitors and myeloma cells from a myeloma patient share the same bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, but respond differently to DKK-1 secreted by myeloma cells. The mechanisms remain unclear.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Primary multiple myeloma (MM) cells were isolated from BM mononuclear cells of 12 MM patients. Human bone marrow stromal cells (SCs) were obtained from BM adherent cells of these MM patients and 10 healthy donors. The mRNA expression levels of DKK-1 binding receptor LRP5/6 and Kremen1/2 (Krm1/2) were analyzed by Real-time PCR in human myeloma cell line (HMCL) RPMI-8226, NCI-H929, U266, LP-1, CZ-1, KM-3, Sko-007, primary myeloma cells and SCs from 12 MM patients and SCs from 10 healthy donors. The binding capability of DKK-1 binding receptors to DKK-1 on primary myeloma cells and SCs was detected by flow cytometry assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mRNA expression levels of DKK-1 binding receptor LRP5/6 and Krm1/2 in SCs from patients with MM were significantly higher than those in myeloma cells and in SCs from healthy donors. The binding capability to DKK-1of DKK-1 binding receptors on SCs from MM patients was obviously higher than those on myeloma cells and SCs from healthy donors by flow cytometry assay. Similar to the effects of coculture with rhDKK1, coculture of SCs from healthy donors with myeloma cells in the presence or absence of a Transwell insert did up-regulate SCs' mRNA levels of LRP5/6 and Krm1/2, and down-regulate their mRNA levels of β-catenin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Compared with myeloma cells, the SCs from MM patients overexpress DKK-1 binding receptors LRP5/6 and Krm1/2 in response to DKK-1 secreted by myeloma cells, which results in intracellular Wnt signaling inhibition. Our study provides a novel insight into mechanisms of myeloma associated osteolytic lesions.</p

The Assessment on Synergistic Activity of Ebselen and Silver Ion Against Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a foodborne zoonotic bacterium that is pathogenic to guinea pigs, rabbits, and mice. It also causes pseudotuberculosis in humans. However, it still lacked the scientific basis for control. Here, we found out that Ebselen (EbSe) exhibited synergistic antibacterial activity with silver nitrate (Ag+) against Y. pseudotuberculosis YpIII strain with high efficacy in vitro using UV-visible light absorption spectrum, 5,5’-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid), laser scanning confocal microscope, flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy and Western blotting assays. The depletion of total glutathione (GSH) amount and inhibition of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity in thiol-dependent redox system revealed the destructiveness of EbSe-Ag+-caused intracellular oxidative stress. Furthermore, a YpIII-caused mice gastroenteritis model was constructed. EbSe-Ag+ significantly reduced bacterial loads with low toxicity. It also down-regulated the expression levels of interferon (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, up-regulated the expression level of IL-10 on-site. All the in vivo results demonstrated the antibacterial activity and immune-modulatory property of EbSe-Ag+. Collectively, these results provided academic fundament for further analysis and development of EbSe-Ag+ as the antibacterial agents for pseudotuberculosis control

Progress on Research and Application of New Non-destructive Testing Techniques in Tomato Quality Inspection

Tomatoes are one of the most widely cultivated vegetables in China and are popular among consumers. In recent years, as the demand for healthy food has grown, the quality of tomatoes has aroused increasing attention. While tomatoes are generally uniform in shape, there are significant differences in size, fruit type and color among tomato varieties, and tomatoes contain a variety of nutrients with complex chemical structures, so its quality is difficult to assess. The traditional tomato quality testing methods are subjective, destructive, time-consuming and laborious, and thus cannot meet the demand of large-scale quality testing. Recently, with the development of non-destructive testing technologies, new detection methods such as machine learning, multispectral techniques, and electronic nose/electronic tongue have been developed and applied for the rapid and non-destructive testing of tomato quality. This paper provides a summary of the development and application of artificial intelligence based on image recognition, electronic nose technology and spectroscopic technologies for the non-destructive testing of tomatoes in order to provide a reference for future research and development of tomato quality inspection

Concentrators for Water Waves

近日，电子科学与技术学院陈焕阳教授课题组联合浙江大学王振宇课题组在水波能量收集研究方面取得重要突破，相关成果以“Concentrators for Water Waves”为题在线发表在《物理评论快报》杂志(PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS, 2018, 121,104501)。 自然界中存在储量巨大的水波能量资源，厦门等沿海城市拥有天然的海浪水波储能，收集和利用海浪能量却存在效率低下等诸多问题。最近，我校陈焕阳教授课题组联合浙江大学王振宇教授课题组，利用变换光学(Transformation optics)中能量收集器的设计思路，发明了一种新型结构来收集水波的能量，这种结构可以很好地将大面积水波的能量集中到一个很小的区域，更高效地收集能量。这种新方案的提出为水波研究提供了新思路和新方法，而这种新结构在海洋工程建设方面发挥的作用也将备受期待。 该成果入选杂志编辑推荐，被APS的Physics以“More Energy from Ocean Waves”为题聚焦报道，并被Nature以“Water waves grow tall with help from a trick of light”为题亮点报道。我校陈焕阳教授和浙江大学王振宇教授为共同通讯作者，并和柳清伙教授有诸多合作，双方课题组在理论和实验上紧密配合圆满完成。【Abstract】By introducing concepts from transformation optics to the manipulation of water waves, we design and experimentally demonstrate two annular devices for concentrating waves, which employ gradient depth profiles based on Fabry-Pérot resonances. Our measurements and numerical simulations confirm the concentrating effect of the annular devices and show that they are effectively invisible to the water waves. We show that transformation optics is thus an effective framework for designing devices to improve the efficiency of wave energy collection, and we expect potential applications in coastline ocean engineering.This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China for Excellent Young Scientists (Grant No. 61322504), the National Basic Research Programme of China (Grant No. 2013CB035901), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (Grant No. 20720170015), and the National Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 51779224, No. 51579221, and No. 51279180). 这项工作在国家优青项目、面上项目、国家重点研发计划以及校长基金等的资助下完成

Xylem plasticity of root, stem, and branch in Cunninghamia lanceolata under drought stress: implications for whole-plant hydraulic integrity

IntroductionA better understanding of xylem hydraulic characteristics in trees is critical to elucidate the mechanisms of forest decline and tree mortality from water deficit. As well as temperate forests and forests growing in arid regions, subtropical and tropical forests are also predicted to experience an increased frequency and intensity of climate change-induced drought in the near future.MethodsIn this study, 1-year-old Cunninghamia lanceolata seedlings (a typical subtropical species in southern China) were selected for a continuous controlled drought pot experiment of 45 days duration. The experimental treatments were non-drought (control), light drought, moderate drought and severe drought stress, which were 80%, 60%, 50%, and 40%, respectively of soil field maximum moisture capacity.ResultsThe hydraulic conductivity, specific conductivity and water potential of roots, stems, and branches of C. lanceolata all decreased with the prolonging of drought in the different drought intensities. The relative decrease in these hydraulic values were greater in roots than in stems and branches, indicating that roots are more sensitive to drought. Root tracheid diameters normally reduce to ensure security of water transport with prolonged drought, whilst the tracheid diameters of stems and branches expand initially to ensure water transport and then decrease to reduce the risk of embolism with continuing drought duration. The pit membrane diameter of roots, stems and branches generally increased to different extents during the 15–45 days drought duration, which is conducive to enhanced radial water transport ability. The tracheid density and pit density of stems generally decreased during drought stress, which decreased water transport efficiency and increased embolism occurrence. Correlation analysis indicated that anatomical plasticity greatly influenced the hydraulic properties, whilst the relationships varied among different organs. In roots, tracheid diameter decreased and tracheid density increased to enhance water transport security; stems and branches may increase tracheid diameter and pit membrane diameter to increase hydraulic conductivity ability, but may increase the occurrence of xylem embolism.DiscussionIn summary, under drought stress, the xylem anatomical characteristics of C. lanceolata organs were highly plastic to regulate water transport vertically and radially to maintain the trade-off between hydraulic conductivity efficiency and safety

Prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy in patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: 2-year findings from EPICOR Asia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) have a generally poor prognosis and antithrombotic management patterns (AMPs) used post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remain unclear. Duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) and patient characteristics was evaluated in NSTEMI patients enrolled in EPICOR Asia. HYPOTHESIS: Patients stopping DAPT early may benefit from more intensive monitoring. METHODS: EPICOR Asia was a prospective, real-world, primary data collection, cohort study in adults with an ACS, conducted in eight countries/regions in Asia, with 2 year follow-up. Eligible patients were hospitalized within 48 hours of symptom onset and survived to discharge. We describe AMPs and baseline characteristics in NSTEMI patients surviving ≥12 months with DAPT duration ≤12 and > 12 months post-discharge. Clinical outcomes (composite of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke; and bleeding) were also explored. RESULTS: At discharge, 90.8% of patients were on DAPT (including clopidogrel, 99%). At 1- and 2-year follow-up, this was 79.2% and 60.0%. Patients who stopped DAPT ≤12 months post-discharge tended to be older, female, less obese, have prior cardiovascular disease, and have renal dysfunction. While causality cannot be inferred, the incidence of the composite endpoint over the subsequent 12 months was 10.6% and 3.1% with shorter vs longer use of DAPT, and mortality risk over the same period was 8.4% and 1.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Over 90% of NSTEMI patients were discharged on DAPT, with 60% on DAPT at 2 years. Patients stopping DAPT early were more likely to have higher baseline risk and may therefore benefit from more intensive monitoring during long-term follow-up