Novel cow dung-doped sludge biochar as an efficient ozone catalyst: Synergy between graphitic structure and defects induces free radical pathways.

A composite material, cow dung-doped sludge biochar (Zn@SBC-CD), was synthesized by one-step pyrolysis using ZnCl2 as an activating agent and applied to a catalytic ozonation process (COP) for methylene blue (MB) removal. SEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS and BET analyses were performed to characterize the biochar (BC) catalysts. Zn@SBC-CD had high graphitization degree, abundant active sites and uniform distribution of Zn on its surface. Complete removal of MB was achieved within 10 min, with a removal rate much higher than that of ozone alone (32.4%), implying the excellent ozone activation performance of Zn@SBC-CD. The influence of experimental parameters on MB removal efficiency was examined. Under the optimum conditions in terms of ozone dose 0.04 mg/mL, catalyst dose 400 mg/L and pH 6.0, COD was completely removed after 20 min. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis revealed radical and non-radical pathways were involved in MB degradation. The Zn@SBC-CD/O3 system generated superoxide anion radicals (•O2-), which were the main active species for MB removal, through adsorption, transformation, and transfer, Furthermore, Zn@SBC-CD exhibited good reusability and stability in cycling experiments. This study provides a novel approach for the utilization of cow dung and sludge in synthesis of functional biocatalysts and application in organic wastewater treatment.

Retraction notice to "Residual papaya promoting the growth performance, antioxidant, nonspecific immunity of juvenile Tilapia mossambica" [Fish Shellfish Immunol. 98 (2020) 605-610].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of Editors-in-Chief and first Author. The article duplicates significant parts of a paper that had already appeared in Fish & Shellfish Immunology, Volume 93 (2019) 726-731, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2019.06.052. One of the conditions of submission of a paper for publication is that authors declare explicitly that the paper has not been previously published and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. As such this article represents a misuse of the scientific publishing system. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process. The article was published without the knowledge of the co-authors.

Ultrasensitive Physical, Bio, and Chemical Sensors Derived from 1-, 2-, and 3-D Nanocellulosic Materials.

Sensors are of increasing interest since they can be applied to daily life in different areas from various industrial sectors. As a natural nanomaterial, nanocellulose plays a vital role in the development of novel sensors, particularly in the context of constructing multidimensional architectures. This review summarizes the utilization of nanocellulose including cellulose nanofibers, cellulose nanocrystals, and bacterial cellulose for sensor design, mainly focusing on the influence of nanocellulose on the sensing performance of these sensors. Special attention is paid to nanocellulose in different forms (1D, 2D, and 3D) to highlight the impact of nanocellulose constructed structures. The aim is to provide a critical review on the most recent progress (especially after 2017) related to nanocellulose-containing sensors, since there are significantly increasing research activities in this area. Moreover, the outlook for the development of nanocellulose-containing sensors is also provided at the end of this work.

RETRACTED: Residual papaya promoting the growth performance, antioxidant, nonspecific immunity of juvenile Tilapia mossambica.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of Editors-in-Chief and first Author. The article duplicates significant parts of a paper that had already appeared in Fish & Shellfish Immunology, Volume 93 (2019) 726-731, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2019.06.052. One of the conditions of submission of a paper for publication is that authors declare explicitly that the paper has not been previously published and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere. As such this article represents a misuse of the scientific publishing system. The scientific community takes a very strong view on this matter and apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process. The article was published without the knowledge of the co-authors.

Feasibility of cultivation of Spinibarbus sinensis with coconut oil and its effect on disease resistance (nonspecific immunity, antioxidation and mTOR and NF-kB signaling pathways).

Application of traditional bait in aquaculture caused environment pollution and disease frequent occurrence. Residual coconut could be re-utilized to culture Spinibarbus sinensis as dietary supplement. Therefore, a novel integrated system of the improvement of yield, antioxidant and nonspecific immunity of Spinibarbus sinensis by dietary residual coconut was proposed and investigated. Spinibarbus sinensis could grow well in all supplement residual coconut groups. Survival rate, yield, whole fish body composition under 15-45% groups were increased compared with control group (CK). Bioactive substances (polyphenols and vitamin) in residual coconut enhanced AKP, ACP, phagocytic, SOD, CAT activities through up-regulating AKP, ACP, SOD, CAT genes expression levels. Theoretical analysis showed bioactive substances regulated these genes expressions and enzyme activities as stimulus signal, component, active center. Moreover, residual coconut improved mTOR and NF-kB signaling pathway. Furthermore, residual coconut inhibited Aeromonas hydrophila that increased resistance to diseases. This technology completed the solid waste recovery and the Spinibarbus sinensis culture simultaneously.

Soybean processing wastewater supported the removal of propyzamide and biochemical accumulation from wastewater by Rhodopseudomonas capsulata.

Simultaneous (SPW and propyzamide) wastewater treatment and the production of biochemicals by Rhodopseudomonas capsulata (R. capsulata) were investigated with supplement of soybean processing wastewater (SPW). Compared to control group, propyzamide was removed and biochemicals production were enhanced with the supplement of SPW. Propyzamide induced camH gene expression through activating MAPKKKs gene in MAPK signal transduction pathway. The induction of camH gene and CamH occurs after 1 day for R. capsulata. However, lack of organics in original wastewater did not maintain R. capsulata growth for over 1 day. The supplement of SPW provided sufficient carbon source for R. capsulata under three addition dosages. This new method resulted in the mixed (SPW and propyzamide) wastewater treatment and improvement of biochemicals simultaneously, as well as the realization of reutilization of wastewater and R. capsulata as sludge. Meanwhile, high-order nonlinear mathematical model of the relationship between propyzamide removal rate, Xt and Xt/r, was established.

[Pathogens of prostatitis and their drug resistance: an epidemiological survey].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiological features of the pathogens responsible for prostatitis in the Changshu area, and offer some evidence for the clinical treatment of prostatitis. METHODS: This study included 2 306 cases of prostatitis that were all clinically confirmed and subjected to pathogenic examinations in 3 hospitals of Changshu area from 2008 to 2012. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, mycoplasma urealyticum and chlamydia trachomatis were detected by nucleic acid amplification ABI 7500, the bacterial data analyzed by VITEK-2 Compact, the drug-resistance to antibacterial agents determined using the WHONET 5.6 software, and the enumeration data processed by chi-square test and curvilinear regression analysis using SPSS 19.0. RESULTS: The main pathogens responsible for prostatitis were found to be Staphylococcus haemolyticus (30%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (12%), Enterococcus faecalis (9%), Escherichia coli (6%), Staphylococcus warneri and Staphylococcus aureus (3%), Mycoplasma urealyticum (8%), chlamydia trachomatis (5%) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (6%). Statistically significant increases were observed in the detection rates of Escherichia coli (chi2 = 17.56, P<0.05), Mycoplasma urealyticum (chi2 = 8.73, P<0.05), Chlamydia trachomatis (chi2 = 8.73, P<0.05) and Enterococcus (chi2 = 8.22, P<0.05), but not in other pathogens. The resistance rates of Gram-positive bacteria to erythromycin and benzylpenicillin G were both above 45%, but with no significant difference between the two, those of Oxacillin (chi2 = 10.06, P<0.05) and Cefoxitin (chi2 = 9.89, P<0.05) were markedly increased, but those of quinolones, gentamycin and clindamycin remained low, except rifampicin (chi2 = 11.09, P<0.05). The resistance rates of Gram-negative bacteria to cefazolin and ampicillin were relatively high (mean 57.3%), and those to ceftriaxone (chi2 = 11.26, P<0.05) and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (chi2 =11.00, P< 0.05) significantly high; those to amikacin, cefepime, piperacillin/tazobactam and imipenem remained at low levels with no significant changes. However, the resistance rates of mycoplasma urealyticum to ciprofloxacin (chi2 = 11.18, P<0.05) and azithromycin (chi2 = 9.89, P<0.05) were remarkably increased. CONCLUSION: Gram-positive bacteria are the major pathogens responsible for prostatitis, but Escherichia coli, enterococcus and sexually transmitted disease pathogens are found to be involved in recent years. Quinolones and aminoglycosides are generally accepted as the main agents for the treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infection. However, rational medication for prostatitis should be based on the results of pathogen isolation and drug sensitivity tests in a specific area.

Cellulose dissolution and regeneration behavior via DBU-levulinic acid solvents.

Most organic solvents are unable to dissolve carbohydrates due to the lack of hydrogen bonding ability. The development of solvent systems for dissolving cellulose is of great importance for its utilization and conversion. In this study, four new cellulose solvents were designed using inexpensive levulinic acid (LevA) and 1,8-diazabicyclo [5,4,0] undec-7-ene (DBU) as raw materials. The results showed that the prepared DBU-LevA-2 solvent was able to dissolve up to 7 wt% of bamboo cellulose (DP = 860) and 16 wt% of microcrystalline cellulose (DP = 280) at 100 °C and regenerated without derivatization. Also, the molar ratio of each component of this solvent has a significant effect on the dissolution properties of cellulose. The regenerated cellulose had the typical crystalline characteristics of cellulose II. Subsequently, the interactions and microscopic behaviors of solvent and cellulose during the dissolution process were thoroughly investigated by using NMR spectroscopy combined with density functional theory. The systematic study showed that the hydrogen bond-forming ability provided by DBU, a superbase, plays an indispensable role in the overall solvent system.

Enhanced artificial nitrogen fixation efficiency induced by construction of ternary TiO2/MIL-88A(Fe)/g-C3N4 Z-scheme heterojunction.

Herein, a ternary TiO2/MIL-88A(Fe)/g-C3N4 heterojunction is successfully constructed through a facile hydrothermal strategy for enhancing solar energy harvesting and efficiency of catalytic nitrogen reduction induced by enlarged light absorption range, increasing interfacial charge transfer ability and desirable stability. Under the simulated sunlight irradiation, the N2 fixation experiment shows that the yield of NH3 reaches 1084.31 µmol/(g·h) over the TiO2/MIL-88A(Fe)/g-C3N4 photocatalyst, and the yield is significantly enhanced, which is 33.68 and 13.94 times that is higher than the pure TiO2 and g-C3N4, respectively. In a mean time, the excellent performance of the photocatalytic N2 fixation over the ternary TiO2/MIL-88A(Fe)/g-C3N4 is verified based on density function theory calculation and the decisive step over the composite is investigated by calculating Gibbs free energies of nitrogen reduction paths. The performance enhancement mechanism of TiO2/MIL-88A(Fe)/g-C3N4 is speculated, which indicates that the hybridized three-component system presents a desirable Z-scheme band alignment, resulting in the improvement of separation and transfer efficiency of photoinduced charge carriers. The article shows a new and high-efficiency TiO2/MIL-88A(Fe)/g-C3N4 photocatalysis for excellent nitrogen reduction ability.

A New Method for Environmental Risk Assessment of Pollutants Based on Multi-Dimensional Risk Factors.

Pollutant discharge causing the deterioration of the watershed environment has seriously threatened human health and ecosystem function. The importance of improving the risk warning system is becoming more and more prominent. Traditional chemical risk assessment methods focused on toxicity and the exposure of pollutants without considering the impact of persistent pollutants in different environmental media. In this study, a new approach was proposed to reflect multi-dimensional evaluation with a synthetic risk factor (SRF) of pollutants. The integrating parameters of SRF include toxicity endpoint values, environmental exposure level, persistent properties, and compartment features. Selected pesticides, perfluorinated compounds, organophosphate esters and endocrine disruptors were analyzed by the proposed and traditional methods. The results showed a higher risk outcome using SRF analysis for PFOS, imazalil, testosterone, androstenedione and bisphenol A, which were different from those obtained by the traditional method, which were consistent with existing risk management. The study demonstrated that the SRF method improved the risk assessment of various pollutants in different environmental media in a more robust fashion, and also provided a more accurate decision basis for ecological environment protection.

Toxicity Rank Order (TRO) As a New Approach for Toxicity Prediction by QSAR Models.

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models are commonly used for risk assessment of emerging contaminants. The objective of this study was to use a toxicity rank order (TRO) as an integrating parameter to improve the toxicity prediction by QSAR models. TRO for each contaminant was calculated from collected toxicity data including acute toxicity concentration and no observed effect concentration. TRO values associated with toxicity mechanisms were used to classify pollutants into three modes of action consisting of narcosis, transition and reactivity. The selection principle of parameters for QSAR models was established and verified. It showed a reasonable prediction of toxicities caused by organophosphates and benzene derivatives, especially. Compared with traditional procedures, incorporating TRO showed an improved correlation coefficient of QSAR models by approximately 10%. Our study indicated that the proposed procedure can be used for screening modeling parameter data and improve the toxicity prediction by QSAR models, and this could facilitate prediction and evaluation of environmental contaminant toxicity.

Removal of azimsulfuron and zoxamide using a tapered variable diameter biological fluidized bed combined with electrochemistry: Mass fraction division, energy metabolism activity and carbon emissions.

The performance of the combination system of tapered variable diameter biological fluidized bed (TVDBFB) with electrochemistry (EC) was evaluated for removing azimsulfuron and zoxamide under different temperatures and influent concentrations. Maximum removal efficiency of azimsulfuron and zoxamide could reach 94% and 98% under higher influent concentration (about 780 mg/L). As temperature decreased from 32 ℃ to 8 ℃, the mSe increased from 48% to 56%, and the mSo and mSxv decreased from 30% to 22% and 27% to 24%, respectively. As the influent COD equivalent concentration of azimsulfuron and zoxamide enhanced from 260 mg/L to 780 mg/L, the Kd increased from 0.06 d-1 to 0.23 d-1. Temperature and influent concentration were main influencing factors of DHA, ATP and ETS. Increasing aeration in TVDBFB and HRT in EC under shock conditions could improve azimsulfuron and zoxamide removal efficiency, however, it was also accompanied by higher carbon emissions.

Optimizing anaerobic technology by using electrochemistry and membrane module for treating pesticide wastewater: Chemical oxygen demand components and fractions distribution, membrane fouling, effluent toxicity and economic analysis.

Optimization in performance and membrane fouling of an electrochemical anaerobic membrane bioreactor (R1) for treating pesticide wastewater was investigated and compared with a conventional anaerobic membrane bioreactor (R2). The maximum COD removal efficiency of R2 was 80.1%, 80.0%, 67.4%, 61.1% with HRT of 96, 72, 48 and 24 h, which of R1 was enhanced to 84.7%, 84.3%, 82.0% and 66.3%. These results demonstrated that the optimum HRT of R1 was shortened to 48 h, which of R2 required 72 h. R1 reduced the contents of particulate and colloidal COD, and the fraction of COD converted to sludge was 5.0-8.2% lower than that of R2. The fouling rate was 0.99-1.44 kPa/d and reduced by 31.0%-38.5% compared with R2. Detoxification was enhanced by 7.8-47.7% with the assistance of bio-electrochemistry. Ultimately, ensuring similar performance, R1 achieved a 65.6% improvement in environmental benefit, a 26.3% and 38.9% reduction in unit capital and operating costs.

Novel tapered variable diameter biological fluidized bed for treating pesticide wastewater with high nitrogen removal efficiency and a small footprint.

In this study, the removal efficiency of nitrogen, specific nitrification rate (SNR), specific denitrification rate (SDNR) and compliance rate of the novel tapered variable diameter biological fluidized bed (TVDBFB) and anoxic/oxic (AO) process were compared at different temperatures. The results showed that the optimal TN, NH4+-N, and TKN removal efficiencies of the TVDBFB were 76%, 89% and 88%, respectively, and those of AO were 65%, 67% and 69%, respectively. The SNR and SDNR of the TVDBFB were significantly higher than those of AO. The TVDBFB had a smaller footprint than AO. The alkalinity/NH4+-N, BOD5/TN and temperature play important roles in the compliance rate. Increasing the carrier packing rate has emerged as a new strategy for enhancing the compliance rate. Mathematical models were developed and determined to be well-fitted with the experimental values, which can be employed to predict the SNR and SDNR of the TVDBFB.

A novel low temperature aerobic technology with electrochemistry for treating pesticide wastewater: Compliance rate, mathematical models, economic and environmental benefit analysis.

In this study, a novel combination system of the tapered variable diameter biological fluidized bed (TVDBFB) with electrochemistry (EC) has been developed and its performances are investigated at different seasons. The results showed that the COD removal efficiency of TVDBFB increased from 61% to 67% and compliance rate increased from 84% to 88% when the carrier packing rate increased from 15% to 30% and temperature was 12 ℃. However, COD removal efficiency and compliance rate increased to 87% and 100% when EC was a post treatment unit. The mathematical models could fit well with the attached biomass, which can be applied to reflect and predict the biomass per unit carrier under different conditions, and the EC removal of COD follow the first-order reaction kinetic model. The economic and environmental benefit analysis indicated that TVDBFB and EC were feasible for treating pesticide wastewater.

Comparison of Inflammatory Markers Between the Sevoflurane and Isoflurane Anesthesia in a Rat Model of Liver Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury.

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane and isoflurane had been reported to improve ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) through amelioration of the inflammatory response. We aimed to explore and compare the molecular mechanisms involved in sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthesia in liver ischemia-reperfusion of rat model. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham group, I/R group, sevoflurane group, and isoflurane group. The liver I/R injury model was established to investigate the effect of sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthesia on liver ischemia/reperfusion. The inflammatory markers and complement C3, C5a, and C6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Oxidative stress was detected by measuring the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and nitric oxide (NO). RESULTS: Our results showed that sevoflurane anesthesia significantly decreased alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase levels compared with isoflurane and controls. Sevoflurane inhibited I/R injury induced production of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1, interleukin 6, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and promoted interleukin 10 production more significantly compared with isoflurane. Reduced MDA and NO and elevated SOD release suggested that oxidative stress was attenuated by sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthesia. Both sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthesia significantly decreased plasma C3 levels compared with the I/R injury group without differences. CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane anesthesia produced a more significant inhibitive effect on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress in liver I/R injury model than isoflurane, suggesting that sevoflurane is more suitable in surgery.

3D printing using plant-derived cellulose and its derivatives: A review.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is classified as a revolutionary, disruptive manufacturing technology. Cellulose (the most abundant natural polymer) and its many derivatives have been widely studied for many applications. The combination of 3D printing with cellulose-based feedstocks is therefore of critical interest. This review highlights many studies on 3D printing applications of plant-derived cellulose and its derivatives. Potential materials include cellulose ethers/esters, microcrystalline cellulose, nanocellulosic materials, and other products. It focuses on their roles and functions in 3D printing processes and the performance of the resultant printed objects. The outlook for future work is also provided, to underscore critical issues and opportunities.

Performance improvement and model of a bio-electrochemical system built-in up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket for treating ß-lactams pharmaceutical wastewater under different hydraulic retention time.

This paper focused on the performance of an up-flow bio-electrochemical system (UBES) for treating the ß-lactams pharmaceutical wastewater under different hydraulic retention time (HRT). UBES is added a bio-electrochemical system below the three-phase separator based on up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB). Comparisons of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, accumulation of volatile fatty acid (VFA) and biogas production were investigated during the 316-day operation time, which was divided into five parts with HRT of 96 h, 72 h, 48 h, 36 h and 20 h, respectively. The average COD removal efficiency of UBES could reach 45.3 ±â€¯7.5%, 72.2 ±â€¯3.5%, 86.2 ±â€¯1.4%, 75.9 ±â€¯1.8% and 64.9 ±â€¯2.0%, which were 2.4%, 6.1%, 6.4%, 10.2%, 8.7% more than those of UASB under different HRTs, respectively. Biogas production as well as methane production of UBES were significantly higher than UASB during the whole changing HRT process, the maximum methane yield of UBES was 0.31 ±â€¯0.07 L/gCODremoved. Accumulation of VFA in UBES was discovered to be lighter than UASB, the minimum average VFA in UBES was 131.9 ±â€¯18.5 mg/L, which was obtained at HRT of 48 h. These results proved that UBES can slow down the inhibition of VFA on methanogens to make sure a good performance on COD removal and biogas production than UASB. Moreover, the relationships between methane production and VFA, biogas production and COD consumption were analyzed. A cost and benefit were analyzed for evaluating the potential of UBES in practical applications compared with UASB. Finally, radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) model was developed and fitted well with the experimental data, which can be employed to predict the effluent quality of the UBES and UASB.