Effects of nucleotide usage on the synonymous codon usage patterns of biofilm-associated genes in Haemophilus parasuis

To provide a new perspective on the evolutionary characteristics shaping the genetic diversity of Haemophilus parasuis biofilms, the relative synonymous codon usage values, codon usage bias values, effective number of codons (ENC) values, codon adaptation index (CAI) values, and the base components were calculated. Our objective was to implement a comparative analysis to evaluate the dynamic evolution of biofilm-associated genes in H. parasuis. The analysis of genetic diversity provides evidence that some biofilm-associated genes have similar genetic features. However, other genes show some variations in genetic direction. Furthermore, preferential selection of the synonymous codons and amino acids is apparent in biofilm-associated genes. Additionally, the ENC and CAI data from this study all strongly suggested that biofilm-associated genes may depend on deoptimization to adapt to environmental changes, and the mutation effect of biofilm-associated genes in H. parasuis plays an important role in shaping the genetic features. Our results reveal that the mutations of biofilm-associated genes form a set of sophisticated strategies for combating the environmental changes arising from the host cell in the evolution of H. parasuis.

[Application of the dizziness handicap inventory in the patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

Objective:This study was designed to observe the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) scores in patients with BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) before and after maneuver repositioning and aimed to discuss the values of DHI scores in the diagnosing and treatment of BPPV. Method:Charts of 72 patients with BPPV diagnosed by positioning test were reviewed. Four DHI scores were used including the total score (DHIT), the functional score (DHIF), the emotional score (DHIE), and the physical score (DHIP). We compared the pre-repositioning DHI scores and post-repositioning scores of patients, and also compared the DHI scores of patients with and without residual dizziness. Result:All of the 72 patients were underwent maneuver repositioning and recorded the DHI scores. The mean post-repositioning scores were dramatically decreased compared with pre-repositioning scores, and the difference was significant (P<0.01). The differences of the DHIP scores between the residual dizziness group and the non-residual dizziness group was not significant, while the DHIF scores, the DHIE scores and the DHIT scores between the two groups were statistically different. Conclusion:After maneuver repositioning the dizziness handicap of BPPV patients could be significantly improved. The next treatment program for residual dizziness patients after successful repositioning could be aimed at the functional and emotional dizziness.

Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for a new fish species, Chinese sillago (Sillago sinica)

Sillago sinica is a newly identified species belonging to Sillaginidae, Perciforms, and was found along the coast of China in 2011. In the present study, 81 microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched genomic library, and 24 positive clones containing microsatellite repeats had adequate flanking sequences for the development of PCR primers. Sixteen of these primers were monomorphic or would not amplify. Eight were polymorphic in an examined population with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 14. The number of observed and expected heterozygosities per locus varied from 0.125 to 0.958 and from 0.120 to 0.904, respectively. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.110 to 0.721. All loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05) after Bonferroni correction. There was no significant linkage disequilibrium between the eight polymorphic loci. These results suggest that these markers may be very useful for the characterization of natural populations of this species.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of concurrent positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement in diffuse large B cell lymphoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the incidence of positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement, and the clinical features and prognosis of concurrent positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement "double-hit lymphoma" (DHL) in diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

METHODS

The positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement in 106 cases of DLBCL were analyzed using interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. The expression of myc and bcl-2 proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry. The relationship of positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement with clinical features, pathogenesis and prognosis for the patients was analyzed. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 106 cases, there were 27 (25.5%) cases with positive t(14; 18) and 13 (12.3%) cases with myc gene rearrangement, and 7 cases (6.6%) of DLBCL with concurrent t(14; 18)-positive and myc gene rearrangement. A relationship was observed between positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement (P=0.019). The follow-up data showed that the 7 DHL patients were in age of 52-84 years, the International Prognostic Index (IPI) scores were 3 in two cases, 4 in four cases and 5 in one case, and the ECOG scores were 3 in all the 7 cases. Four patients had bone marrow involvement and were combined with leukemia. The survival time ranged from 0.5 to 6 months, with a median survival of 4 months. The univariate analysis showed that B symptom, Ann Arbor stage, ECOG score, LDH level, IPI score, immunophenotype, bcl-2 protein expression, myc protein expression, and myc gene rearrangement were all associated with poor prognosis (P<0.05 for all). The multivariate analysis using a COX proportional hazard model confirmed that ECOG score, bcl-2 protein expression, myc protein expression, myc gene rearrangement, and immunophenotype were independent prognostic factors affecting survival (P<0.05 for all), among them, the myc gene rearrangement was the strongest prognostic factor (OR=4.337, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

"Double-hit" DLBCL is rare and can be mainly identified only by molecular detection. Perhaps positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement play concurrent role in its "double-hit" pathogenesis. DHL are highly invasive, and most of DHL patients have poor prognosis. Further studies of larger case number are required to determine the pathologic features and the therapeutic strategy of this subgroup.

Pioglitazone up-regulates long non-coding RNA MEG3 to protect endothelial progenitor cells via increasing HDAC7 expression in metabolic syndrome

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) is expressed in endothelial cells and involved in angiogenesis and vascular function. It was proposed that MEG3 participates in the process of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) functions in metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this study, the circulating EPCs number and function were decreased in MetS subjects. The MEG3 expression was expressed at a lower level and microRNA-140-5p (miR-140-5p) was expressed at a higher level in circulating EPCs of subjects with MetS. Pioglitazone reversed the alterations of EPCs function and the expression levels of MEG3 and miR-140-5p in EPCs. In bone marrow-derived EPCs exposed to palmitate, down-regulation of miR-140-5p canceled the increase of MEG3 expression level induced by Pioglitazone. Overexpression of MEG3 resulted in the down-regulation of miR-140-5p. The luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay showed that MEG3 targeted miR-140-5p. In addition, the HDAC7 expression levels were regulated by miR-140-5p and MEG3. These findings demonstrated that Pioglitazone up-regulated MEG3 expression to protect EPCs via decreasing miR-140-5p expression and increasing HDAC7 expression in MetS, which may be a novel therapeutic target for preventing and treating MetS.

Association between RAGE gene polymorphisms and ulcerative colitis susceptibility: a case-control study in a Chinese Han population

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an immune-related disease with genetic predisposition. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of three polymorphisms in the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) gene with UC risk in a Chinese population. This case-control study involved 72 UC patients and 479 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction method. Data were analyzed using the Haplo.stats program. There were no significant differences between patients and controls in the allele/genotype distributions of rs1800624 (P(allele)= 0.11; Pgenotype = 0.20), rs1800625 (P(allele) = 0.16; Pgenotype = 0.11), or rs2070600 (P(allele) = 0.37; Pgenotype = 0.65). In addition, no positive haplotypes were identified. To the best of our knowledge, the current study describes polymorphisms of RAGE in Chinese UC for the first time. We found no association between RAGE polymorphisms and the development of UC in the Chinese population.

Molecular characterization, tissue expression profile, and SNP analysis of porcine SLC13A5

Solute carrier family 13 (sodium-dependent citrate transporter member 5, SLC13A5) gene has been recently found to play an important role in intramuscular fat content in pigs. In this study, the full-length cDNA of porcine SLC13A5 was obtained from the longissimus dorsi muscle of Shaziling pigs, using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends technique. Full-length porcine SLC13A5 cDNA was 2118 bp, with a 1665-bp open reading frame encoding 554 amino acids. The porcine SLC13A5 protein was analyzed using bioinformatic methodology, and found to include 18 potential phosphorylation sites (including six serine, nine threonine, and three tyrosine) and eight putative transmembrane domains. One single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site, A251G, was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism and the associations of this SNP with age at 100 kg and corrected back fat thickness were found to be not significant. Expression of SLC13A5 was evaluated in ten tissues from 25-day-old full-sib Yorkshire and Shaziling piglets (both N = 3), using quantitative PCR analysis. Expression levels of SLC13A5 differed significantly between the breeds in cecum, liver and crureus muscle. In each breed, gene expression levels were significantly different in longissimus dorsi muscle, compared to the nine other tissues. This study has laid the foundation for further investigations of the molecular mechanisms of SLC13A5 in pigs.

Outcomes for patients with papillary thyroid cancer who do not undergo prophylactic central neck dissection

BACKGROUND

The role of prophylactic central neck dissection (CND) in the management of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is controversial. This report describes outcomes of an observational approach in patients without clinical evidence of nodal disease in PTC.

METHODS

All patients who had surgery between 1986 and 2010 without CND for PTC were identified. All patients had careful clinical assessment of the central neck during preoperative and perioperative evaluation, with any suspicious nodal tissue excised for analysis. The cohort included patients in whom lymph nodes had been removed, but no patient had undergone a formal neck dissection. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), central neck RFS and disease-specific survival (DSS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Of 1798 patients, 397 (22.1 per cent) were men, 1088 (60.5 per cent) were aged 45 years or more, and 539 (30.0 per cent) had pT3 or pT4 disease. Some 742 patients (41.3 per cent) received adjuvant treatment with radioactive iodine. At a median follow-up of 46 months the 5-year DSS rate was 100 per cent. Five-year RFS and central neck RFS rates were 96.6 and 99.1 per cent respectively.

CONCLUSION

Observation of the central neck is safe and should be recommended for all patients with PTC considered before and during surgery to be free of central neck metastasis.

Losartan improves the distribution and efficacy of doxorubicin in CT26 tumor

OBJECTIVE

The effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents is impaired by limited delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to the tumor cells. Improving drug penetration in tumor tissues is very important. We tested whether losartan, a selective antagonist against type 1 angiotensin II receptors (AT1R) with noted antifibrotic activity, can enhance the penetration and efficacy of doxorubicin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BALB/C mice, which implanted with CT26 tumor cells, were divided into four groups: control, doxorubicin alone, losartan alone and doxorubicin + losartan combination groups. At day 0, the losartan alone and doxorubicin + losartan combination groups received losartan; and at day 8, the doxorubicin alone and doxorubicin + losartan combination groups received doxorubicin i.v. Tumor growth and intratumoral distribution of doxorubicin were evaluated. The mechanism underlying the enhanced anti-tumor effect of the combination of doxorubicin and losartan was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Treatment with losartan alone did not suppress tumor growth; In contrast, treatment with doxorubicin alone decreased tumor growth; losartan and doxorubicin were administered in combination, had a synergistic effect that the tumor growth was much more inhibited. The decreased proliferation as indicated by down-regulation of Ki67, and increased apoptosis as indicated by TUNEL and caspase-3 staining. The expression of tumor suppressor gene P53 increased in doxorubicin + losartan combination groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Losartan can increase the therapeutic effectiveness of doxorubicin, yielding more great antitumor benefit. This study provided a rationale for initiating clinical trials using losartan in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to increase their therapeutic effectiveness.

The distribution of Salmonella enterica serovars and subtypes in surface water from five agricultural regions across Canada

Serovar prevalence of the zoonotic pathogen, Salmonella enterica, was compared among 1624 surface water samples collected previously from five different Canadian agricultural watersheds over multiple years. Phagetyping, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and antimicrobial resistance subtyping assays were performed on serovars Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Heidelberg. Serovars and subtypes from surface water were compared with those from animal feces, human sewage, and serovars reported to cause salmonellosis in Canadians. Sixty-five different serovars were identified in surface water; only 32% of these were isolated from multiple watersheds. Eleven of the 13 serovars most commonly reported to cause salmonellosis in Canadians were identified in surface water; isolates of these serovars constituted >40% of the total isolates. Common phagetypes and PFGE subtypes of serovars associated with illness in humans such as S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium were also isolated from surface water and animal feces. Antimicrobial resistance was generally low, but was highest among S. Typhimurium. Monitoring of these rivers helps to identify vulnerable areas of a watershed and, despite a relatively low prevalence of S. enterica overall, serovars observed in surface water are an indication of the levels of specific S. enterica serovars present in humans and animals.

Search for a light sterile neutrino at Daya Bay

A search for light sterile neutrino mixing was performed with the first 217 days of data from the Daya Bay Reactor Antineutrino Experiment. The experiment's unique configuration of multiple baselines from six 2.9 GW(th) nuclear reactors to six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 m and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls makes it possible to test for oscillations to a fourth (sterile) neutrino in the 10(-3) eV(2)<|Δm(41)(2) |< 0.3 eV(2) range. The relative spectral distortion due to the disappearance of electron antineutrinos was found to be consistent with that of the three-flavor oscillation model. The derived limits on sin(2) 2θ(14) cover the 10(-3) eV(2) ≲ |Δm(41)(2)| ≲ 0.1 eV(2) region, which was largely unexplored.

Development and characterization of single nucleotide polymorphism markers in Camellia sinensis (Theaceae)

Tea is the second most popular non-alcoholic beverage in the world. In recent years, several molecular markers have been used in genetic studies of the tea plant. Yet, only a few single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported. Here, we identified 818 putative SNPs from expressed sequence tag (EST) databases for the tea plant, which produced a frequency of 1 SNP/170 bp. A direct sequencing method was then used to verify 253 putative SNPs in genome DNA of 17 tea varieties. Fifty (20%) candidate and 299 new SNPs were identified. The haplotype polymorphism and nucleotide diversity of these markers ranged from 0 to 0.960 and 0 to 1.797%, respectively. Using these SNPs, the 17 varieties were classified into 2 groups by cluster analysis. The results indicate that Camellia sinensis-derived ESTs provide a valuable resource for SNP discovery. Furthermore, the abundance of SNPs in tea varieties is anticipated to generate the development of associated genetic studies, in addition to enhancing tea plant-breeding programs.

Spectral measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation amplitude and frequency at Daya Bay

A measurement of the energy dependence of antineutrino disappearance at the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment is reported. Electron antineutrinos (ν¯(e)) from six 2.9  GW(th) reactors were detected with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls. Using 217 days of data, 41 589 (203 809 and 92 912) antineutrino candidates were detected in the far hall (near halls). An improved measurement of the oscillation amplitude sin(2)2θ(13)=0.090(-0.009)(+0.008) and the first direct measurement of the ν¯(e) mass-squared difference |Δm(ee)2|=(2.59(-0.20)(+0.19))×10(-3)  eV2 is obtained using the observed ν¯(e) rates and energy spectra in a three-neutrino framework. This value of |Δm(ee)2| is consistent with |Δm(μμ)2| measured by muon neutrino disappearance, supporting the three-flavor oscillation model.

Bacterial diversity in antibiotic wastewater treatment

The bacterial diversity of an antibiotic industrial wastewater treatment system was analyzed to provide the information required for further optimization of this process and for identification of bacterial strains that perform improved degradation of antibiotic industrial wastewater. The total bacterial DNA of samples collected at three stages (aeration, precipitation, and idle) during the sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) of the 16 s rDNA V3 regions. Community analysis was conducted in terms of the richness value (S), the dominance degree and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H). Rich bacterial diversity was apparent in the aeration stage of the SBR process, and the number of bands in the aeration stage was more abundant than that in the precipitation and idle stages. The DGGE analysis showed 15 bands, six of which were uncultured bacteria, and included one anaerobic and five aerobic bacteria. The microbial community in the aeration stage was the most complex of the whole SBR process, while the dominant bacteria differed in each reaction stage. These results demonstrate the cyclical dynamic changes in the bacterial population during the SBR process for the treatment of antibiotic industrial wastewater.

A new technology for separation and recovery of materials from waste printed circuit boards by dissolving bromine epoxy resins using ionic liquid

Recovery of valuable materials from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is quite difficult because WPCBs is a heterogeneous mixture of polymer materials, glass fibers, and metals. In this study, WPCBs was treated using ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methylimizadolium tetrafluoroborate [EMIM+][BF4-]). Experimental results showed that the separation of the solders went to completion, and electronic components (ECs) were removed in WPCBs when [EMIM+][BF4-] solution containing WPCBs was heated to 240 °C. Meanwhile, metallographic observations verified that the WPCBs had an initial delamination. When the temperature increased to 260 °C, the separation of the WPCBs went to completion, and coppers and glass fibers were obtained. The used [EMIM+][BF4-] was treated by water to generate a solid-liquid suspension, which was separated completely to obtain solid residues by filtration. Thermal analyses combined with infrared ray spectra (IR) observed that the solid residues were bromine epoxy resins. NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) showed that hydrogen bond played an important role for [EMIM+][BF4-] dissolving bromine epoxy resins. This clean and non-polluting technology offers a new way to recycle valuable materials from WPCBs and prevent environmental pollution from WPCBs effectively.

Phylogeny of 16S rRNA and nifH genes and regulation of nitrogenase activity by oxygen and ammonium in the genus Paenibacillus

All Paenibacillus 16S rDNA sequences, except for that of Paenibacillus massiliensis T7, formed a coherent cluster, distinct from Gram-positive nitrogen-fixing Clostridium pasteurianum and Heliobacterium chlorum. All Paenibacillus NifH sequences formed two main clusters. Cluster I encompassing the NifH sequences from most of members of Paenibacillus spp., such as Paenibacillus azotofixans NifH1 and NifH2, Paenibacillus polymyxa and Paenibacillus macerans. Cluster II including only P. azotofixans NifH3. Curiously, three copies of nifH genes of Paenibacillus sabine T27 clustered within P. azotofixans cluster I (NifH1 and NifH2). The effect of O2 and ammonium on nitrogenase activity was studied with 14 different nitrogen-fixing Paenibacillus strains. The optimal oxygen concentration level for all Paenibacillus strains is in the 0 to 0.05% range, similar to that for Klebsiella pneumoniae. In all Paenibacillus strains, the highest nitrogenase activity is obtained in the condition of 0-0.1 mM NH4Cl and the increase of NH4CI from 0.1 to 5 mM caused a rapid inhibition of nitrogenase activity. However, the inhibition was reversible in the presence of 200 mM NH4Cl in some Paenibacillus strains. It is the first time to use almost all of the recognized nitrogen-fixing Paenibacilus spp. to investigate the phylogeny of 16S rRNA and nifH genes. The data that the inhibition of O2 and ammonium on nitrogenase acitivity will provide a base for studying the molecular regulatory mechanism of nitrogen fixation in the genus Paenibacillus.

Treatment of waste printed circuit board by green solvent using ionic liquid

Recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is an important subject not only for the protection of environment but also for the recovery of valuable materials. A feasibility study was conducted to dissolve bromine epoxy resins of WPCBs using ionic liquid (IL) of 1-ethyl-3-methylimizadolium tetrafluoroborate [EMIM(+)][BF(4)(-)] (nonaqueous green solvent) for recovering copper foils and glass fibers. Experimental results indicated that the initial delamination had seen from the cross-section of the WPCBs by mean of metallographic microscope and digital camera when WPCBs were heated in [EMIM(+)][BF(4)(-)] at 240°C for a duration of 30 min. When temperature was increased to 260°C for a duration of 10 min, the bromine epoxy resins of WPCBs were throughout dissolved into [EMIM(+)][BF(4)(-)] and the separations of copper foils and glass fibers from WPCBs were completed. This clean and non-polluting technology offers a new way to recycle valuable materials from WPCBs and prevent the environmental pollution of WPCBs effectively.

Stable expression and integrated hepatitis B virus genome in a human hepatoma cell line

HepG2.2.15 cell is a widely used cell model for studying HBV (hepatitis B virus) in vitro. In these cells, the HBV genome is integrated in several sites of HepG2 cellular DNA. These multiple copies may have some influence on the cellular processes. We constructed a new plasmid, pSEH-Flag-HBV, and transfected it into HepG2 cells, and then screened it with hygromycin. We then used ELISA, PCR, and RT-PCR to detect the expression of HBV in these cell lines. A cell line that stably expressed hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was established. Using Southern blotting analysis, we found that the HBV genome was integrated as a single copy in the cellular DNA. This cell line will be a useful alternative model for HBV studies.

Observation of electron-antineutrino disappearance at Daya Bay

The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment has measured a nonzero value for the neutrino mixing angle θ(13) with a significance of 5.2 standard deviations. Antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth reactors were detected in six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (flux-weighted baseline 470 m and 576 m) and one far (1648 m) underground experimental halls. With a 43,000 ton-GWth-day live-time exposure in 55 days, 10,416 (80,376) electron-antineutrino candidates were detected at the far hall (near halls). The ratio of the observed to expected number of antineutrinos at the far hall is R=0.940±0.011(stat.)±0.004(syst.). A rate-only analysis finds sin(2)2θ(13)=0.092±0.016(stat.)±0.005(syst.) in a three-neutrino framework.

Long-term variations of water quality in a reservoir in China

To study the spatial and temporal trends of water quality in the Yuqiao Reservoir (Ji County, Tianjin) in China, water quality data for ten physical and chemical parameters from three monitoring stations (S1, S2 and S3) was collected from 1989 to 2007 and from an other three stations (S4, S5 and S6) during the period of 1999-2007. A one-way ANOVA was employed to evaluate the spatial variation of water quality for each station. The results showed that there were statistically significant spatial differences for most water quality parameters except temperature and dissolved oxygen in the entire reservoir, and the concentrations of most parameters were higher in the uppermost part of the reservoir. The temporal trend study was conducted using the Seasonal-Kendall's test. The results revealed improving trends of water quality from 1989 to 2007, including a reduction of total phosphorous, temperature and biochemical oxygen demand and an increase of dissolved oxygen. High N:P ratios, ranging from 52.61 to 78.75, indicated that the reservoir was a phosphorous-limited environment. This study suggests long-term spatial and temporal variations of water quality in the Yuqiao Reservoir, which could be informative for water quality managers and scientists.

OX40 Ligand Levels and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels in Blood from Local Coronary Plaque and the Femoral Artery in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome or Stable Angina

OX40 ligand (OX40L) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS; n = 90) or stable angina (SA; n = 40) and healthy control subjects ( n = 50) were evaluated to assess plasma OX40L and serum hs-CRP levels in local coronary plaque and the femoral artery. OX40L and hs-CRP levels in the femoral artery were significantly higher in patients with ACS compared with controls. OX40L and hs-CRP levels in local coronary plaque (OX40Lc and hs-CRPc, respectively) were significantly higher in ACS than in SA patients. OX40L and hs-CRP levels were positively correlated with each other and were also correlated with fibrinogen levels. The number of complex lesions was correlated with OX40Lc and hs-CRPc levels. It is concluded that the OX40Lc level was highly sensitive for evaluating the inflammatory response in ACS and elevated levels of OX40Lc may be a valuable predictive marker for increased risk of atherosclerotic progression in ACS patients.

Response of phytochelatins and their relationship with cadmium toxicity in a floating macrophyte Pistia stratiotes L. at environmentally relevant concentrations

An indoor experiment was undertaken to investigate the response of phytochelatins and their relationship to cadmium toxicity in Pistia stratiotes L., a free-floating macrophyte, exposed to low concentrations of cadmium typically found in realistic environments. Cadmium concentrations of 0.01 to 0.08 microM had no toxic effects on the growth of this plant, as indicated by no significant changes in the fresh weights of leaves and roots and the slight induction of phytochelatins in plant tissues, whereas cadmium concentrations of 0.16 to 1 microM were toxic, and cadmium toxicity increased with the increase of cadmium concentrations in solutions, accompanied by the dramatic production of phytochelatins in plant tissues, especially in roots. There was a positive correction between root phytochelatin levels and cadmium toxicity, as measured by the growth inhibition rate of the root fresh weight. The results suggested that phytochelatins in aquatic macrophytes can serve as sensitive biomarkers for heavy metal toxicity in a moderately polluted water environment.

Analysis and occurrence of typical endocrine-disrupting chemicals in three sewage treatment plants

Seven typical endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (OP), estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), 17α-estradiol (17α-E2), estriol (E3) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in wastewater, were simultaneously determined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Samples, including influents, effluents and wastewater of different unit processes, were taken seasonally from three different sewage treatment plants. The result showed that BPA and EE2 were the two main types of EDCs in all the samples. The average concentration of BPA were in the range of 268.1-2,588.5 ng l⁻¹ in influents and 34.0-3,099.6 ng l⁻¹ in effluents, while EE2 ranging from 133.1 to 403.2 ng l⁻¹ and from 35.3 to 269.1 ng l⁻¹, respectively. Seasonal change of EDCs levels in effluents was obvious between wet season and dry season. Besides, BPA and E3 could be effectively removed by the biological treatment processes (oxidation ditch and A²/O) with the unit removal of 64-91% and 63-100% for each compound, while other five EDCs had moderate or low removal rates. The study also proved that physical treatment processes, including screening, primary sedimentation and pure aeration, had no or little effect on EDCs removal.

Synthesis and performance of colloidal silica nano-abrasives with controllable size for chemical mechanical planarization

Under the analysis of particle growth mechanism, the monodisperse colloidal silica abrasives for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurry were synthesized by the modified ion-exchanged and hydrothermal step-polymerization process. After the colloidal silica with controllable size was synthesized, its microstructure, stability and CMP performance was characterized and tested by SEM, HRTEM, Zeta potential Analyzer and CMP tester. Results show that the spherical, high stable (Zeta potential: -52.8 mV) colloidal silica with controllable size was achieved. About its CMP performance, the polishing rate for silicon double-side CMP is increased to be 317 nm/min and the polished surface roughness (RMS) was reduced to 0.32 nm.